United Nations A/59/PV.9

General Assembly Official Records Fifty-ninth session

9th plenary meeting Friday, 24 September 2004, 10 a.m. New York

President: Mr. Ping ...... (Gabon)

The meeting was called to order at 10.20 a.m. I shall now deliver my address in Portuguese — which, as the Assembly is aware, is the official Address by Mr. Fradique Bandeira Melo de Menezes, language of Sao Tome and Principe. President of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome (spoke in Portuguese; English text furnished by the and Principe delegation) The President (spoke in French): The Assembly Allow me, at the outset, to congratulate you most will now hear an address by the President of the warmly, Mr. President, on your election as President of Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe. the fifty-ninth session on the General Assembly, whose Mr. Fradique Bandeira Melo de Menezes, proceedings will undoubtedly benefit from your President of the Democratic Republic of Sao personal qualities and your experience in international Tome and Principe, was escorted into the General relations. Gabon and my country, Sao Tome and Assembly Hall. Principe, have long enjoyed a very good relationship of cooperation at various levels, and my delegation The President (spoke in French): On behalf of wishes you success in your new functions. the General Assembly, I have the honour to welcome to the United Nations His Excellency Mr. Fradique May I also thank the President’s predecessor, Bandeira Melo de Menezes, President of the President Julian Robert Hunte of Saint Lucia, for the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, and to excellent work he has done. invite him to address the Assembly. On behalf of people of Sao Tome and Principe, I President De Menezes (spoke in French): As would like to pay tribute to the Secretary-General for French is the most widely recognized official language his relentless efforts and dedication at the service of in the Central Africa subregion, I should like to begin the goals of the United Nations, and for his work in my statement by addressing a few words to the promoting peace and development. Assembly in that common language. This session of the General Assembly is taking I would like to say how pleased I am to be here place during a particularly complex international with you today, Mr. President — you in your capacity situation. Violence and the violation of human rights as the President of the General Assembly and me in are increasing. The United Nations must play its role as mine as President of my country. I am also pleased to a matter of priority; otherwise world order could address the Assembly in order to speak on behalf of the collapse. More than ever before, Governments must people of Sao Tome and Principe. give a universal forum like this the responsibility to rebuild international order on the basis of peace,

This record contains the text of speeches delivered in English and of the interpretation of speeches delivered in the other languages. Corrections should be submitted to the original languages only. They should be incorporated in a copy of the record and sent under the signature of a member of the delegation concerned to the Chief of the Verbatim Reporting Service, room C-154A. Corrections will be issued after the end of the session in a consolidated corrigendum.

04-52154 (E) *0452154* A/59/PV.9 respect for human rights, security and cooperation for warming. Our shorelines are eroding and our national development. Unilateralism must be put aside. We have territory is shrinking as the seas rise. Is my small to work together for a better world. country to end up nothing but a tiny volcanic peak sticking out above the waves, with the last of our Intolerance, terrorism, occupation, discrimination, people clinging to the land left unclaimed by the rising organized crime and social injustice are some of the sea? The Kyoto Protocol must be implemented by all sources of today’s open conflicts. Religious differences for the benefit of all. and drug trafficking in some countries are driving people to high levels of violence and destruction. We The Governments of Africa launched the New the people the United Nations have to do our best to Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), aiming stop those atrocities, or unprotected groups of society specifically at optimally mobilizing both African and will disappear and the spiral of violence could spread international resources and at harmonizing out of control. contributions through a partnership based on mutual commitments and balanced interests and responsibilities. Darfur is an example of discrimination and Peace, good governance, security and development are atrocity. We call on Sudan’s Government to fulfil all challenges that all African Governments and peoples the provisions contained in Security Council resolution have to face. They must create the conditions to 1556 (2004), which was adopted on 30 July. achieve those goals. Those goals are far from being It is completely unacceptable that 50 million reached, given the numerous conflicts and the destructive people worldwide have become refugees or have been and negatives effects of conflicts. My Government will internally displaced as a result of having been driven continuously support NEPAD and will work to create from their homes by war, persecution and human rights the foundations for its implementation. abuses. We now needed concrete action by leaders and Most countries continue to face the challenge of peoples to ensure that the perpetrators of criminal HIV/AIDS and other diseases. In some parts of Africa behaviour are brought to justice, thereby rebuilding HIV/AIDS is devastating entire families, societies, confidence among peoples and nations, but especially cultures and economies. Treatment is still expensive, to address the root causes of violence. and our economy has started to feel the negative effects Small island States will meet in Mauritius to of the disease. Unless there are additional resources and assess the progress made since the Global Conference scientific investment to find a cure for HIV/AIDS, hope on the Sustainable Development of Small Island for progress in Africa will continue to be far from reach. Developing States, which was held in Barbados. It is not only health problems that afflict poor Progress in the implantation of the Barbados countries. Globalization affects some because few have Programme of Action has been mixed. At Mauritius, all the necessary conditions to develop trade and key issues will be reviewed and decisions and commerce and to take advantage of new technologies. recommendations will be made with regard to the The latest efforts by the World Trade Organization in questions of climate change, natural and environmental Geneva are an example of the fact that those who have disasters, fresh water, land resources, waste too much could make a difference by giving away a management, tourism, energy, transport, biodiversity little to poor countries. If that is not done, we will and coastal and marine resources. All those are issues continue to face discriminatory tariffs and to affecting the ecosystems of small islands as a result of experience erosion in quality of life. global warming. They can only be solved gradually and if the international community increases resources My country regrets that international relations in effectively to support the sustainable development of some parts of the world have deteriorated to the point small island States. We would like to take this where extreme violence, destruction and violation of opportunity to thank the international community for human rights and the environment are daily facts of everything it has done to date. I would like to extend a life, and where the use and abuse of dangerous special thanks to the Government of Mauritius for its weapons is endemic. We also regret that refugees and efforts to organize the special international conference. children are among the targets in those conflicts. As an island nation, Sao Tome and Principe Tragedies cannot be our destiny. Tragedies and continues to see its very existence threatened by global natural disasters such as the ones we face in Iraq, the

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Middle East, Bangladesh and some countries in Africa closer together and to draw up recommendations in and elsewhere are testimony of the fact that mankind is order to avoid more instability in the country. moving towards facing bigger challenges. My On the economic front, we are preparing the Government thinks that multilateralism under the country for a new era based on oil exploration and framework of the United Nations is the only way for production. Our National Assembly has adopted a law the international community to be able to achieve on the management of the revenues that we will lasting peace and development. eventually receive from oil companies. That shows that Terrorism around the world is causing corruption will be fought, that the new generation will destruction, destabilizing Governments and killing be protected and that the country will have enough people in places such as Madrid, the Middle East and resources for development. elsewhere. We are confronted by a dilemma, because The Government and the people of Sao Tome and thus far all the strategies employed to fight this scourge Principe adhere to the principles of respect for the are not producing significant results. Under the sovereignty of all countries and following the path of authority of the Security Council, we must guarantee dialogue, tolerance and mutual understanding among the universality of, and compliance with, non- peoples. We call on all members of the United Nations proliferation treaties. to do likewise for the sake of a better world. My Government supports the recommendations I would like to conclude by expressing our of Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Timor-Leste. The gratitude to all countries Members of the United United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor is a Nations for the support given to our country at the time success we cannot ignore. of the first-ever coup d’état in Sao Tome and Principe, The universality of the Organization must be a fact, in June 2003. I would also like to thank all the countries and all countries have to be represented. Taiwan is not of Central Africa — including Congo (Brazzaville), represented. We call upon the international community which currently presides over the Economic to address the issue of Taiwan’s representation. Despite Community of Central African States — for everything its small size, Taiwan offers development aid to a large they have done. I also wish to thank the President of number of countries. Taiwan has all the elements to be an the General Assembly and our partners in Central active member of the main international organizations. A Africa and the African Union for their tireless efforts. look at its economy, trade relations, commerce, The President (spoke in French): On behalf of finance, application of new technologies and support the General Assembly, I wish to thank the President of for many countries reveals facts that we cannot ignore the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe for any longer. the statement he has just made. We would also like to refer to Cuba. Economic Mr. Fradique Bandeira Melo de Menezes, embargo is a severe sanction. It violates the Charter of President of the Democratic Republic of Sao the United Nations and international law. I would like Tome and Principe, was escorted from the to request that the General Assembly lend its assistance General Assembly Hall. to bring about an end to the economic embargo against Cuba. The cold war era is behind us, and a people in Address by Mr. Branko Crvenkovski, President of need simply cannot continue to be the object of the the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia political interest of part of the electorate in Florida. The President (spoke in French): The Assembly In Sao Tome and Principe we are working very will now hear an address by the President of the former hard to consolidate our young democracy and to create Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. a solid foundation for sound development. Following the agreement signed among the Government, the Mr. Branko Crvenkovski, President of the former international community and the military — which Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, was escorted mounted a coup in Sao Tome and Principe in 2003 — into the General Assembly Hall. we organized a national forum that brought all The President (spoke in French): On behalf of segments of our society to the table to bring their views the General Assembly, I have the honour to welcome to

3 A/59/PV.9 the United Nations His Excellency Mr. Branko to preoccupy world public opinion. We were all Crvenkovski, President of the former Yugoslav Republic horrified by the images of human suffering in Madrid, of Macedonia, and to invite him to address the Assembly. Beslan and elsewhere. In order to enhance the capacity of the international community in this respect, we need President Crvenkovski: Allow me at the outset to further consolidate the world anti-terrorist coalition to extend my congratulations to you, Mr. Jean Ping, on led by the United Nations and, additionally, strengthen your election as President of the fifty-ninth session of cooperation with regional organizations that have the General Assembly, and to express my conviction specific mechanisms to fight this global evil. that this session will be concluded successfully under your presidency. Moreover, I take this opportunity to The Republic of Macedonia will continue its active congratulate the President of the fifty-eighth session, cooperation with the Counter-Terrorism Committee of Mr. Julian Hunte, on his dedication and on the the Security Council and make its own contribution to successful fulfilment of his responsibilities. the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001). In that regard, I would like to inform the Assembly that, last Last year was extremely challenging, for both the May, the Republic of Macedonia ratified the world community and the United Nations. In that International Convention for the Suppression of the regard, I would like to commend Secretary-General Financing of Terrorism and the International Kofi Annan for his efforts and contributions in Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings. preserving peace in the world. In his recent address (see A/59/PV.3), he clearly demonstrated once again The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction his dedication to the cause of the Organization. remains one of the major threats to international peace and security, and it is closely related to terrorism. We We certainly all agree that the United Nations welcome the Security Council’s adoption of resolution continues to be the most relevant global forum 1540 (2004) on the non-proliferation of weapons of addressing international peacekeeping and security mass destruction. The implementation of that issues. We also agree on the need to renew and reform resolution will complement the existing set of its bodies and agendas in order to preserve the vital instruments and consolidate the role of the Security role of the Organization. In that context, we look Council in this area. forward to reading the report being drafted by the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, The suppression of the illicit trade in small arms which was created by the Secretary-General. and light weapons and the total prohibition of anti- personnel mines are also very important issues, given With regard to the reform of the Security Council, the size of the problem and the number of victims the Republic of Macedonia considers it extremely caused by mines. Doing so will contribute greatly to important to increase the membership of the Council with conflict prevention and successful peacekeeping and regard to both permanent and non-permanent seats. peace-building throughout the world, including our The renewal and strengthening of the role of the region. At the end of last year, the Republic of Economic and Social Council is equally relevant. The Macedonia conducted a successful effort to collect Republic of Macedonia has presented its candidacy for small arms and light weapons. That effort had the the election to the Economic and Social Council to be support of the United Nations Development held during this session. We are confident that, if Programme. Efforts in this regard are ongoing. elected and with the support of the General Assembly, We expect that the first review conference of my country will be able to make its full contribution to countries parties to the Ottawa Convention, which is to improving the efficiency of the Council. be held in Nairobi, will produce a summary of the As far as the revitalization of the General results achieved through the implementation of that Assembly is concerned, we think that we must seize extremely important instrument, which will pave the the momentum, implement the provisions of the way to the creation of a world free of landmines. revised agenda and pursue efforts to make the work of The Republic of Macedonia has destroyed its the Main Committees more focused and rational. mine stockpiles and is working on the demining of Unfortunately, once again this year, inhuman acts affected regions. The United Nations Mine Action of terrorism have continued to take innocent lives and Service, together with the International Trust Fund for

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Demining and Mine Victims Assistance, have provided every democratic society. The rule of law and effective a great deal of help in our demining activities. respect for human rights are the best instrument in preventing conflicts, as well as prerequisites for peace Unfortunately, violent conflicts have continued and prosperity. Today, we are increasingly aware of the this year. The armed conflict in Darfur and the terrible need to nurture and respect multiculturalism as a humanitarian tragedy it brought about require decisive precondition to the development of a secure and action. We support the Security Council resolution in harmonious world. In that regard, every effort should this regard, and we join the call for further and urgent be made to create mutual confidence and understanding action on this matter. and to promote respect for differences. The Republic of The situation in the Middle East continues to Macedonia is deeply committed to those principles, keep the world on edge. We support the efforts of the and we adhere to them strictly in our actions. Quartet to find a solution acceptable to all sides and we For half a century now, the United Nations has share the conviction that the road map is the only way had a key role in the development of international to reach a solution for Palestine and Israel, two human rights law. In that context, we welcome current neighbouring States that will one day live in peace. efforts to harmonize the draft international convention Building peace and fostering democracy in to protect the rights of disabled persons. Afghanistan and Iraq, where the Republic of Good-neighbourly relations are one of the foreign Macedonia is part of the multinational force, remains a policy priorities of the Republic of Macedonia, as one challenge facing both the international community and of the promoters of regional cooperation in South-East the peoples of those two countries. I would like to Europe. I would like to take this opportunity to inform emphasize the exceptional importance of the the Assembly that, as during previous sessions, the implementation of resolution 1546 (2004), which delegation of the Republic of Macedonia will propose endorsed the restoration of Iraq’s sovereignty and the adoption by the General Assembly of a draft provided the core framework for the political resolution on good-neighbourly relations, stability and transformation and democratization of that State. development in South-Eastern Europe. With regard to Iraq, I would like to appeal to the In recent years, the countries of the region have authorities of that country to do their utmost to find the made considerable progress at both the domestic level three Macedonian citizens who have disappeared there. and in developing mutual relations. We are actively The Millennium Development Goals remain the cooperating in numerous regional initiatives and in the key challenge for the Organization. In September 2005, framework of the Euro-Atlantic integration process. heads of State and Government from around the world However, despite the considerable progress made at the will meet to review what has been done in realizing the level of stabilization and improved security in the Goals in the five years since the adoption of the region, not all sources of potential instability have been Millennium Summit Declaration. It is crystal clear that eliminated. We strongly believe that the process of the we must take decisive steps if we want to mobilize region’s accelerated integration into the European political will and resources and carry out reforms on the Union and NATO will weaken existing threats at the national and global levels to meet the Goals by 2015. national and regional levels. However, it is already clear that some regions of As an immediate neighbouring country, the the world will find it very difficult to achieve the Republic of Macedonia is following with particular projected Goals. Special attention should be dedicated attention the developments in Kosovo. We fully to Africa, where the situation is alarming and the issues support the United Nations policy of standards before of poverty and hunger eradication and the problem of status, whose final goal is to establish a true multi- AIDS are very serious. Achieving the Goals will not be ethnic community and to improve security, possible unless the international community is ready to democratization and the rule of law. At the same time, assume its share of responsibility in that respect. the Republic of Macedonia is also lending its continued support to the United Nations and other The Republic of Macedonia places special international bodies as they carry out their responsible emphasis on the importance of effective respect for, missions. and promotion of, human rights as one of the pillars of

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We have developed contractual cooperation with Mr. Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev, President of the the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Republic of Azerbaijan, was escorted into the Kosovo in various areas, with a view to resolving General Assembly Hall. concrete issues that are relevant to the population. We The President (spoke in French): On behalf of expect very soon to start the process of the demarcation the General Assembly, I have the honour to welcome to of our border with Kosovo. Also with regard to the United Nations His Excellency Mr. Ilham Heydar Kosovo, I would like to emphasize the fact that any oglu Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, decision on its future status must not result in the and to invite him to address the Assembly. destabilization of the region. President Aliyev: I would like to join previous The Republic of Macedonia is going through a speakers in congratulating you, Mr. President, on your critical stage in the process of carrying out election to the presidency of the fifty-ninth session of fundamental economic and social reforms and the General Assembly. I also wish to congratulate your transforming its society to prepare it for accelerated predecessor, Mr. Julian Robert Hunte, for his integration into the European Union. The finalization exemplary stewardship of the Assembly during his of the implementation of the framework agreement presidency of the fifty-eighth session. concluded in 2001 is a priority in that process. Most of the legal regulations resulting from the constitutional At the Millennium Summit, Member States changes flowing from the framework agreement have committed themselves to a shared vision of global already been adopted. Nevertheless, one of the main solidarity and common security. We reaffirmed our issues pertaining to decentralization — namely, faith in the United Nations and its Charter as territorial reorganization — could pose a challenge, indispensable for a more peaceful, secure and just given the upcoming referendum. That referendum is a world. As we have entered the new century we have democratic event of the highest order that provides done our best to maintain the vital importance of citizens with an opportunity to express their opinions international law, so that all countries may be able to on the concept being put forth by the Government. count on the Organization in their hour of need and so that, in turn, the United Nations can fulfil what the Finally, I would like to conclude by saying that world expects from it. the world is facing a range of challenges and threats, but that our experience so far has proven that there is Some of our actions sought to protect millions of no alternative to the multilateral approach to innocent people, especially women and children, who overcoming threats to international peace and security. still fall victim to brutal armed conflicts. Others Our experience has also proven that dialogue remains endeavoured to establish a more equitable world the most valuable and powerful instrument in our economy, where all countries must have equal chances endeavours to create a different and safer world. at fair competition. The President (spoke in French): On behalf of Azerbaijan is making its own contribution to the the General Assembly, I wish to thank the President of strengthening of global and regional security. As an active the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia for the member of the global coalition against international statement he has just made. terrorism, Azerbaijan is faithfully cooperating, bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks, to Mr. Branko Crvenkovski, President of the former suppress this evil that continues to bring death and Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, was escorted suffering to innocent peoples. Azerbaijan is among the from the General Assembly Hall. countries that have suffered directly from the consequences of armed conflicts on its territory. In Address by Mr. Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev, President reality those conflicts are interlinked, and we have no of the Republic of Azerbaijan other choice but to face them in cooperation and unity. The President (spoke in French): The Assembly There should be no room for double standards. will now hear an address by the President of the Since the very day it became a member of the Republic of Azerbaijan. United Nations, Azerbaijan has constantly drawn the attention of the international community to the conflict

6 A/59/PV.9 between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno- territories have become a kind of grey zone out of the Karabakh and to the occupation by Armenia of control of Azerbaijan’s Government and free from any Azerbaijani territories. Azerbaijan expected the United international monitoring. Nations to compel the aggressor to move out of its land The self-proclaimed, non-recognized so-called and to allow the expelled Azerbaijani population to Nagorno-Karabakh republic is a constant threat to return to their homes. I should like to recall that, in peace and security in the whole region. Armenian 1993, the Security Council unanimously adopted four aggressors and Nagorno-Karabakh separatists are also resolutions — resolutions 822 (1993), 853 (1993), 874 exploiting natural resources in the occupied (1993) and 884 (1993) — in response to Armenia’s Azerbaijani territories and are attempting to engage occupation of sovereign Azerbaijani territories. overseas companies in their illegal business. I call Those resolutions confirmed that the region of upon Member States to take all necessary measures to Nagorno-Karabakh was part of Azerbaijan, resolutely make their nationals and companies respect called for respect for the sovereignty and territorial international law and to prevent them from illegal integrity of Azerbaijan and its internationally activities on the territory of our country. For its part, recognized borders, and underlined the inadmissibility of Azerbaijan will undertake all necessary legal and the use of force for the purpose of acquiring territory. practical measures to hold those companies The resolutions demanded an immediate, complete and accountable for participation in the stealing of the unconditional withdrawal of occupying forces from all natural wealth belonging to a sovereign nation. occupied areas of Azerbaijan and called for the Furthermore, Armenia is falsifying history and establishment of conditions for the safe return of misappropriating the cultural and architectural heritage displaced people to their places of permanent residence. of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. None of those resolutions — which were intended Religious and historical monuments, ancient to restore justice and peace and the territorial integrity manuscripts and other cultural properties have been of Azerbaijan — has been implemented by Armenia, destroyed, refashioned, plundered or removed. which never respected or recognized the fundamental The process of political settlement of the conflict principles of international law contained in the that has been conducted within the Minsk Group of the resolutions that laid down the basis for the settlement Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe of the conflict. Nagorno-Karabakh and seven other (OSCE) during the last 12 years has thus far yielded no regions of Azerbaijan, which make up 20 per cent of results. No serious consideration has been given by the the territory of Azerbaijan, have been occupied by Minsk Group to the implementation of the Security Armenia for more than 10 years. As a result of the Council’s resolutions, to assessing the situation on the policy of ethnic cleansing conducted by Armenia, more ground or to the illegal activities carried out by than 1 million of Azerbaijan’s people have become Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. refugees or internally displaced persons. It is obvious that, under the current passive and The silence of the Security Council has had a silent attitude of the United Nations, the Security devastating impact on the resettlement process. Council, the OSCE and the Minsk Group, and without Armenia has ignored the resolutions and has attempted strong pressure from the international community, to consolidate the results of its military aggression — Armenia will not abandon its aggressive and and it has not been punished for it. Armenia destructive stance. The illegal actions of Armenia in consequently launched an outrageous policy involving occupied Azerbaijani territories and its position in the massive illegal settlement of an Armenian population negotiating process prove that Armenia is not intent on in occupied Azerbaijani territories. That also is a finding a solution to the problem. Rather, it intends to blatant violation of international law, and in particular further prolong the negotiations and to consolidate the of the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the results of its aggression, while trying ultimately to Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. impose a fait-accompli-based settlement. Moreover, the situation has deteriorated, with those territories being used for drug trafficking, arms I wish to stress from this podium that a settlement transfers, the harbouring of terrorists, illegal economic of this issue must be based only on international law activities and smuggling. The occupied Azerbaijani and democracy, not on ethnic cleansing and the de

7 A/59/PV.9 facto annexation of the territory of a sovereign State. first century. Developing viable mechanisms for the Azerbaijan will never accept the occupation of its implementation of Security Council resolutions is also territory, the violation of its territorial integrity or the a pressing issue. results of ethnic cleansing. It is the obligation of all of us to collectively The return of Azerbaijan’s displaced population apply effective approaches to current problems, to their homes remains one of our key priorities in the thereby enabling a stable environment for the process of settling the conflict. But even before our sustainable growth and democratic development of expelled people, refugees and internally displaced nations. That can only be achieved through persons come back home, there is still an urgent need strengthening the norms and principles of international for all the relevant United Nations agencies, donor law and through friendly relations and mutually countries and international humanitarian organizations beneficial cooperation among States. to be actively involved in addressing the suffering of The President (spoke in French): On behalf of the most affected part of population. the General Assembly, I wish to thank the President of The Government of Azerbaijan does not spare the Republic of Azerbaijan for the statement he has just time, effort or financial resources to do its part; but made. given the scale of displacement, that is not sufficient. Mr. Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev, President of the Burden-sharing between the Government and relevant Republic of Azerbaijan, was escorted from the international organizations is crucial. In addition to General Assembly Hall. purely material support, we also request a renewal of international attention to the problem and better Agenda item 9 (continued) coordination on the part of the United Nations and its specialized agencies, as well as efforts by all international General debate organizations. We expect a more responsive strategy by the United Nations with regard to the state of the Address by The Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, forgotten humanitarian crisis in Azerbaijan. Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Azerbaijan is fully committed to the objectives of Grenadines poverty eradication and to the promotion of good The President (spoke in French): The Assembly governance. On that basis, and as a result of the will now hear an address by the Prime Minister of measures we have undertaken, we are currently seeing Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. increased economic performance and growth. Azerbaijan is making its contribution to the The Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime development of transregional cooperation. We are also Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, promoting such transportation and communication was escorted to the rostrum. networks as the Transport Corridor Europe Caucasus The President (spoke in French): I have great Asia project and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku- pleasure in welcoming His Excellency The Honourable Tbilisi-Erzerum oil and gas pipelines. Those projects Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and will ensure predictable access for the exports of land- the Grenadines, and inviting him to address the locked countries to world and regional markets. General Assembly. The United Nations has to adapt itself in order to Mr. Gonsalves (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines): successfully tackle all the challenges it faces. The The fifty-ninth session of the General Assembly coincides long-standing issue of United Nations reform needs with the twenty-fifth anniversary of the independence of finally to be resolved. The inability of the Security Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The last quarter of a Council to cope with problems, and particularly those century has presented a mighty challenge for the related to armed conflicts, is obvious. The new people of my country: to develop in a world Security Council should be more representative, increasingly indifferent to the particular problems of responsible and democratic. Its working methods must small, poor, developing States. But it is a challenge be more transparent and able to respond more rapidly that the citizens of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the new challenges, risks and threats of the twenty- have embraced with courage, fortitude and hope —

8 A/59/PV.9 never doubting our ability to survive, thrive and originally from diverse lands and cultures. Yet we in ultimately prosper as we contribute to the uplifting of the Caribbean continue to buck, rather than accommodate our unique, independent, distinctive and noble ourselves appropriately to, both nature and history. That Caribbean civilization. Our country has made progress is a sort of vanity that we can ill-afford. thus far, but much more remains to be done. We look It is tragic that it takes a catastrophe of this forward to succeeding in our quest for self-mastery. nature to hammer home the point that the small island I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, developing States have been making for some time, on your assumption of the presidency of the fifty-ninth namely, that there is a need for special and differential session of the General Assembly. We are confident that treatment because of, among other things, our you will perform your duties with dignity and skill. Let vulnerability to natural disasters. me just say that you have a hard act to follow. Your I repeat, without exaggeration, that Hurricane predecessor, our Mr. Julian Hunte, is a distinguished Ivan, in a few short hours, reduced Grenada to rubble son of the Caribbean who hails from our sister island, and, at a stroke, undid the hard work and achievements Saint Lucia. He made us proud in his role as President of its people since independence in 1974. We in Saint of the General Assembly. Vincent and the Grenadines feel their pain and know The peoples of the Caribbean and the southern that, but for the grace of God and the vagaries of United States are still traumatized by the devastation nature, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines would have caused by hurricanes this season. Jamaica, the suffered the same fate. Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Haiti, Cuba and other Accordingly, the crisis in Grenada, occasioned by Caribbean countries, including my own, have been nature, prompts Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to severely affected. But our nearest neighbour, Grenada, give the highest priority to the international conference has suffered cataclysmic destruction and is now in a to be held in Mauritius in January of next year, when state of national crisis. We offer our profound the specific and distinct problems of small island condolences to the families and loved ones of those developing States will be highlighted. We will be who have died in the hurricanes. Saint Vincent and the stressing the need for the international community to Grenadines and other Caribbean nations have reached take urgent action on the problem of global warming and out a helping hand to Grenada, but the magnitude of climate change, which, if left unchecked, could lead to a the devastation in that country on 7 September is global human and economic calamity in this century. beyond the capacity of the Caribbean to address The international community must become focused on satisfactorily by itself. Indeed, Grenada has become an the avoidance of that threatened apocalypse. international responsibility. Since we met here last year, the Caribbean I therefore reiterate the call of the Caribbean Community has faced another crisis in our region — this Community (CARICOM) for the urgent convening of time, a political one — as one of our member States, an international donors’ conference to address the Haiti, descended into chaos, violence and anarchy. We matter of Grenada’s utter devastation and its saw an elected head of State removed in circumstances reconstruction. Simply put, Grenada has moved from that bring no credit to our hemisphere. We remain the status of a middle-income developing country with deeply troubled by the controversial interruption of the a modern, sophisticated society and well run, democratic process that took place in the early hours of democratic State machinery to a devastated land in a the morning of 28 February this year in Port-au-Prince. matter of three hours of pounding from hurricane Ivan. It is worth remembering that CARICOM States were Today in Grenada there is no functioning economy and instrumental in preparing a plan of Action for Haiti to a highly traumatized civil society. ensure that the Constitution of that country was Arising from all that is a strategic issue in our respected and to create the basis for a mobilization of quest to turn Grenada’s setback into a regional advance resources to avert a humanitarian disaster. for a more profound and meaningful Caribbean On 25 February 2004, CARICOM was successful integration. Hurricane Ivan has spoken eloquently to in having the matter raised at a meeting of the Security the fact that nature has made our region one. History Council. On that occasion, we went to the Council has further moulded us as one people who were drawn armed with a draft resolution. We pleaded for the

9 A/59/PV.9 international community to respond to the rapidly yesterday in Rwanda stands as a monument of shame deteriorating situation in Haiti. The draft resolution to the international community. As an international presented by CARICOM to the Security Council was community we must today take the shame out of our noted but politely ignored. The rest is history. The eyes in Darfur with urgent practical measures. Government and people of Saint Vincent and the A similar effort is required to address the harsh Grenadines are anxious to help the Haitian people in conditions of life of other peoples, including the heroic the sorry plight in which they currently find nation of Palestine, whose humanity is being daily themselves. But before engaging politically with the assailed by outside forces. so-called interim Government of Haiti, we must see, among other things, unequivocal evidence on the I would like to express, on behalf of the people of ground of advances in democracy and freedom and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, our deepest credible guarantees of free and fair elections within a sympathy to the Government and people of the Russian reasonable time. A regime that tries an indicted Federation on the tragic and inexplicable events in murderer at midnight, one who was hailed by the very Beslan on 3 September. A tragedy of that magnitude, regime as a liberator, and then frees him before the first and especially the slaughter of so many innocent cock crows, has failed the most elemental tests of children, cannot fail to cause heartfelt sorrow. justice, freedom and democracy. Since 11 September 2001, the fight against The death and destruction occasioned by Hurricane international terrorism has intensified on all fronts. It is Jean in Haiti demand our humanitarian assistance, not right and proper that rich and poor countries be engaged our political engagement with the Haitian regime. in the ongoing war on the barbarism of terror. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a reliable partner in the The dire situation in the Darfur region of Sudan global struggle against the evil of terrorism. Still, it is has caused great distress to the Government and people necessary for me to point out that the cost of being a of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. My own personal reliable participant in that war is a heavy burden on the grief prompted me to write letters in May of this year meagre resources of developing countries like Saint to several world leaders, including Secretary-General Vincent and the Grenadines. Our international Kofi Annan, offering the slender resources of my obligations and circumstances necessarily pull us into country to assist in whatever small way we could to that war, which we did not occasion or initiate. Yet we alleviate the suffering of the afflicted Sudanese people. bear that imposed burden with equanimity and pain. Most of those I addressed responded positively. It is true that — thanks in large measure to the diligence of This body, however, must be reminded yet again various journalists and the news media — this tragedy that there is another terrorism that we must fight has now been brought forcefully to international relentlessly. It is the terrorism of war, poverty, attention. But the question we must nevertheless ask illiteracy and disease, including HIV/AIDS. We must ourselves is this: has the international community never forget, either, that daily hunger for 1 billion reacted in an appropriate way to this calamity, or have persons worldwide is truly a weapon of mass we merely engaged in the usual perfunctory and destruction. Together we must fight that terrorism too. routine denunciations? The images and reports coming Developed countries cannot allow trade regimes and out of Darfur are a chilling reminder of man’s market conditions to further impoverish the poor, as has inhumanity to man and a haunting condemnation of been the case with banana farmers in the Caribbean, and those who can truly help but who stand by idly or still trumpet that they are helping the poor. downplay this humanitarian disaster callously. In that The case for a judicious and balanced reform of regard, the Government of Sudan must shoulder its the United Nations to better reflect the reality of the responsibility to its citizens and to humanity. twenty-first century is unanswerably strong. We must Three months have gone by since I wrote to the redouble our collective efforts to persuade those who fear, Secretary-General, and this massive human tragedy unreasonably, the consequences of a just reform. We must continues to unfold before our appalled eyes. I suggest not permit entrenched power to defeat right reason. that we cannot allow the bloodbath to continue. We Since Saint Vincent and the Grenadines became must save those who can still be saved in what have an independent State, it has had unbroken diplomatic become the killing fields of Africa. The genocide of

10 A/59/PV.9 relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan. We see The President (spoke in French): I have great that country of liberty and democracy as a most pleasure in welcoming His Excellency The Honourable important component of the magnificent Chinese Laisenia Qarase, Prime Minister of the Republic of the civilization. Taiwan has the world’s seventeenth largest Fiji Islands, and inviting him to address the Assembly. economy and the fifteenth largest trading volume Mr. Qarase (Fiji): I would like to extend to the internationally, and is third in the global ranking of the General Assembly the warm greetings and good wishes extent of foreign exchange reserves held. Taiwan’s 23 of the Government and people of the Republic of the million people ought properly to be represented in this Fiji Islands. I would also like to warmly congratulate universal body by the Government of their choice. It is you, Mr. President, on your election to the presidency a mistake to continue to deny Taiwan international of the fifty-ninth session. I pledge to you our support membership of organizations. The relations between and cooperation. That reflects our respect for your Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Taiwan have country, with which we have enjoyed close relations been exemplary. Our friendship demands that we plead through our common membership of the African, their just cause. Caribbean and Pacific partnership with the European I conclude with these observations. Some States Union. I also wish to express Fiji’s warm thanks to boast ownership of boundless territory, vast natural Mr. Julian Hunte of Saint Lucia for his very able resources and potent firepower; but none of those leadership of the fifty-eighth session. Fiji and other factors by themselves, or a combination of all three, small island nations of the Pacific region applaud the guarantee peace or prosperity. In some other States fine example set by the countries of the Caribbean poverty, hunger conflict and disease are the norm. If, Community (CARICOM) in their shared approach to instead of investing in war — knowing its certain side managing the responsibilities of that high office. effect of the waste of young, innocent lives — nations Today we are confronted by events that cast a cooperated with each other, striving for ways to solve shadow over humankind and the United Nations vision problems common to all, it is just possible that the of peace. The humanitarian crisis in Sudan continues. As world we bequeath to our children will be more relief efforts proceed, our thoughts are with the refugees peaceful and richer in the ways that matter and of Darfur. We urge the Government of Sudan to do boasting cleaner air and a healthier environment. everything in its power to bring that tragedy to an end. Internationally, and in our own countries, let us emphasize the power of love rather than the love of We think of those whose lives have been power. Let us extol not the rightness of power but the devastated by the destructive fury of hurricanes in the righteousness contained in our human condition. Caribbean and on the Atlantic coast of the United States. We extend to them our deepest sympathies for The President (spoke in French): On behalf of the loss of life and property. the General Assembly, I wish to thank the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for the The perpetrators of the slaughter of innocents in statement he has just made. Russia gave a new dimension to wickedness. They defeated their own cause through the ruthless and The Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime indiscriminate shedding of the blood of children. Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Nothing can justify what they did. The United Nations was escorted from the rostrum. must be united against such infamy. Address by The Honourable Laisenia Qarase, Let us express our sympathy and solidarity with Prime Minister of the Republic of the Fiji the ordinary people of Iraq caught in that country’s Islands terrible cycle of violence. Let this forum give them our full and unreserved support in the struggle for genuine The President (spoke in French): The Assembly democratic Government and the regaining of their will now hear an address by the Prime Minister of the national sovereignty. May their hopes for a peaceful Republic of the Fiji Islands. future and lasting stability find fulfilment. The Honourable Laisenia Qarase, Prime Minister We feel for the families of the people killed by of the Republic of the Fiji Islands, was escorted terrorists outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta. We to the rostrum.

11 A/59/PV.9 want them to know that their pain is shared in this Through the Pacific Islands Forum, and with the family of nations. assistance of Australia and New Zealand, we are currently preparing a Pacific plan to pool resources and The plea from Fiji is for United Nations member efforts for the strengthening of collective interests. We countries to strengthen their joint resolve to oppose will come together to combat the threat of terror and to political terror everywhere. This is a critical time in improve law enforcement and our defences against history. The United Nations is called upon to mobilize terrorism and transnational crime. There will be a all its experience, skills and powers to create concord cooperative approach to social and economic among nations. That was its founding principle. It is development, and especially for advancing trade, the principle that must continue to drive and sustain the investment and tourism. We will stand united to guard our United Nations. oceanic heritage, which is a treasure for all humanity. Fiji, as always, is committed to the maintenance Our region has the world’s largest remaining, of peace and security and to a world free of weapons of sustainable tuna fishery, which is an essential source of mass destruction and terrorism. food for the global market. But more than 95 per cent We want an end to ozone-depleting pollution and of the value of the mid-Pacific Ocean tuna catch goes the elimination of other hazards to the environment. to distant-water fishing nations. We look to the United Nations and other international organizations to help us The international community must continue to get a just return from that major natural resource. Fiji fight poverty and disease. HIV/AIDS has become more commends those countries that have already worked than a health crisis. For some countries it is now a with us to reach that goal. We would like to express security threat. We in the Pacific have no immunity particular thanks to the United States for its regional from this global epidemic. We would welcome fisheries treaty with certain Pacific island nations. Our continued assistance from the Global Fund to Fight island countries have now entered a new phase of AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to supplement our cooperation in the tuna industry through the Western regional campaign to contain this scourge. and Central Pacific Tuna Convention, which came into The United Nations must continue to resist effect in June this year. external interference in any form, which undermines In addition to reinforcing regional cooperation, the sovereign right of every Member State to determine Fiji and its neighbours are giving special attention to its own destiny. However, where there are internal their relationships with countries in the wider Asia- crises and disorder and the United Nations mandates Pacific region. intervention for peace, we are ready to contribute. We consider it an honour to serve the cause of peace under We strongly support a role for Japan and India in the flag of the United Nations and regional an enlarged and strengthened Security Council. May I organizations like the Pacific Islands Forum. Fiji’s also add that Fiji would endorse the inclusion of South soldiers and police officers have been taking part in Africa and Brazil as permanent members. United Nations peacekeeping operations since 1978. Let me say that we greatly value the assistance of That has cost us 35 precious lives, but we remain Australia, New Zealand and the United States in strong in our resolve to continue serving where we are securing our region as a zone of peace. needed. Peacekeeping personnel from Fiji are working in Liberia, the Sinai, Kosovo, Timor-Leste, the It was heartening to see the two Koreas marching Solomon Islands and Bougainville, Papua New Guinea. and participating under a single banner at the Olympic My Government is now giving careful consideration to Games in Greece. It is our prayer that that will lead to requests from the United Nations to assist it with more substantive progress in the reunification of the security personnel in Iraq. Korean people. I would like to take this opportunity to express to We are glad to see the People’s Republic of China the United Nations and to those countries that have growing in stature and developing so quickly. Fiji enjoys assisted Fiji on a bilateral basis our gratitude for their steadily strengthening relations with China and wants to help in making it possible for us to honour our see those relations expanded further. It is committed to its commitment to international peace and security. diplomatic recognition and official relations with the

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People’s Republic of China. At the same time, Fiji values My Government commends the initiative taken its trade and economic ties with Taiwan. It is our fervent by the International Labour Organization in its World hope that their people will resolve their future Commission Report on the Social Dimension of peacefully through dialogue and consensus. Globalization. It is the international community’s responsibility to ensure that for both developed and For the past 29 years, close to 80 countries of the developing countries, and for big and small countries African, Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP) have been alike, globalization means a fair and equitable spread the beneficiaries of a historic development partnership of opportunities — opportunities manifested in new with the European Union. I pay tribute to the leaders of investments, more jobs, decent work and improvements Europe and the ACP who pioneered that unique in education, health and other social amenities. international North-South arrangement. Generous assistance in trade, aid and investment has contributed For us in the Pacific, as small island nations, in very significant ways to the livelihood of millions of there is another area of increased concern. We take people from poorer States. great pride in our culture, customs and traditions. They give us our identity and oneness as indigenous Now, as we begin negotiations with the European communities and as Pacific island peoples. I appeal to Union for the continuation of those arrangements, we the General Assembly to bring before it for adoption at are finding to our dismay that the World Trade the earliest opportunity the draft declaration on the Organization’s (WTO) insistence on free and open rights of indigenous peoples. I request the Secretary- trade will effectively mean for many ACP countries, General to expedite that process. including Fiji, a massive loss in export earnings from reduced prices. For our sugar industry the direct While we acknowledge the importance of the consequence will inevitably be that the price the cane Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other farmers receive will fall substantially below their international instruments in the promotion of human production costs. That is despite the urgent and rights, we also recognize that they are primarily comprehensive reforms we have embarked upon in our concerned with the rights of individuals. Indigenous sugar industry to make it more productive, efficient Pacific island communities see a United Nations and competitive. declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples as being vitally important for the international recognition Those WTO hurdles are made more difficult by and acceptance of our right to self-determination and, the loss of competitive margins through the withdrawal indeed, to our very survival as ethnically and culturally of schemes like the Generalized System of Preferences. distinct peoples. But that is not to say that we are The consequence is that many small island developing unconcerned about other communities whose members States, already disadvantaged by their smallness, are fellow citizens with equal rights and responsibilities. distance from export markets and regular devastation from natural disasters, are now faced with serious Members of the Assembly are aware that Fiji has uncertainty over their economic prospects. We a multiracial society. The ethnic Fijians and Rotumans therefore welcome the holding by the United Nations are the indigenous community. Collectively and of a special conference of small island developing communally, they own close to 90 per cent of all land States early next year to review the Programme of in the country. Settlers from India came some 125 Action for those countries, the Barbados + 10 review. I years ago and now comprise the majority of tenants of very much hope that review will lead to new native land. Europeans, people of mixed ancestry, international commitments of assistance to Chinese and other Pacific islanders complete Fiji’s disadvantaged small island developing States. Those colourful cultural tapestry. We are proud of that commitments must underpin economic survival and a national diversity. It gives our country its distinctive sustainable future, as the world moves inexorably character and its still unrealized potential. towards a free and open trading system. It is also our Although we have learned to co-exist without the hope that the Barbados + 10 review will renew the call racial violence and hatred common elsewhere, we are for those States that have yet to sign or to ratify the still a country divided, especially in politics. From Kyoto Protocol to do so, for the sake of our planet. independence, in 1970, we tried hard to create multiracialism founded on mutual respect, mutual care

13 A/59/PV.9 and understanding. But, unfortunately, during elections will be an interfaith service. We recognize that human the overwhelming majority of voters still make their effort alone is not enough for what we want to achieve. choices along ethnic lines. It is not because they are Just as this great Organization seeks a world of against candidates from other communities, it is just harmony bound together by common ideals, we in Fiji that they find security and comfort in choosing want our own United Nations, a united nation where our representatives from their own community. citizens live together happily and nationhood is fulfilled. Since my Government came to office, in 2001, The President (spoke in French): On behalf of we have been engaged in a new quest for unity. Our the General Assembly, I wish to thank the Prime vision is for a peaceful, unified and prosperous Fiji. Minister of the Republic of the Fiji Islands for the Politically, we wish to build on the concept of statement he has just made. guaranteed representation for our different communities in Parliament. The challenge now is to The Honourable Laisenia Qarase, Prime Minister extend this to representation in Government. of the Republic of the Fiji Islands, was escorted from the rostrum. As a parliamentary democracy, we are committed to Government based on the free will and consent of Address by The Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, the people. But, at the same time, we want to ensure Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and that each community has a direct voice in national Carib Affairs of the Commonwealth of decision-making. It is that desire for inclusion and Dominica equity that has led us to adopt measures to close the social and economic gap between Fijians and the other The President (spoke in French): The Assembly communities and between the affluent and the will now hear an address by the by the Prime Minister disadvantaged and the poor. Increasingly, we are and Minister for Finance and Carib Affairs of the finding that faith in God is a powerful instrument for Commonwealth of Dominica. forming bonds across the racial divide. We may follow The Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime different beliefs, but a common focus on the divine is Minister and Minister for Finance and Carib lighting the way forward. Affairs of the Commonwealth of Dominica, was When I return to Fiji, the country will be getting escorted to the rostrum. ready for eight days of prayer, forgiveness and The President (spoke in French): I have great reconciliation. The aim is to bring people together and pleasure in welcoming His Excellency The Honourable to create a sense of national purpose and patriotism. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister and Minister for All the great faiths represented in Fiji will be part of Finance and Carib Affairs of the Commonwealth of that. Each contains in their teachings the jewels of Dominica, and inviting him to address the General truth that gleam for all humanity. Each has an Assembly. important capacity for peace-making. Each can make a valuable contribution to increasing understanding and Mr. Skerrit (Dominica): Allow me first of all to resolving differences. congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the mantle of the presidency of the General Assembly at its fifty- In those eight days in October, therefore, our ninth session. My delegation wishes to assure you of religious leaders will join with other citizens of good its full support and cooperation in bringing about the will in this fresh search for togetherness. The successful outcome of this session. promotion of unity has been a pressing national priority since my Government came to office, four My Government expresses its deepest years ago. We understand that it will not come quickly. appreciation to your predecessor, Mr. Julian Hunte, for The General Assembly will be pleased to hear that our the outstanding manner in which he presided over the communities themselves, through their religious and work of the fifty-eighth session. Under his visionary cultural organizations, are coming forward to join with leadership, significant progress was made in advancing the Government in the making of a unified State. The the revitalization of the General Assembly and in climax of our national week of prayer and forgiveness ensuring the return of development to the forefront of the issues addressed by the Assembly.

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No words of praise are adequate to describe the of America and the European Union resulted in a yeoman’s task undertaken by the Secretary-General, ruling by the World Trade Organization that destroyed Mr. Kofi Annan. In an international environment of the banana industry, which was the backbone of the turmoil and a world going through the turbulence of economy of Dominica. economic reconstruction as globalization proceeds, the A subsequent decision by the Organization for Secretary-General has remained a clear, calm and Economic Cooperation and Development to publish moderating influence on all parties to conflict. His what has been described as a “blacklist” had a very level-headed approach has done much to ensure the adverse impact upon the offshore banking sector in my relevance of the United Nations, which the people of country. the Commonwealth of Dominica cherish highly. Dominica would like to make a plea for greater The numerous challenges facing the globalized transparency and inclusiveness in the formulation of world demand a common endeavour from all the agreements which relate to development financing, nations of the world. Guaranteeing human rights, peace trade and international tax matters. Participation ought and security and ensuring social and economic justice to be substantive, not a mere formality, which is the for all require international cooperation and concerted case more often than not. We do not subscribe to the multilateral action. notion that mere presence constitutes significant Dominica is of the firm conviction that the participation. United Nations continues to be the global institution Notwithstanding our participation in multilateral most suited to the pursuit and coordination of these institutions, the two shocks to which I referred were global initiatives. The multilateral institutions, exogenous — originating outside our country and however, need to be reformed if they are going to be having nothing to do with the internal economic relevant in the current global dispensation. management of Dominica. A resolute commitment on The coordination of the United Nations effort, in the part of the resilient population of Dominica, with harmony with national efforts, must be the focus of this the timely help of some friendly countries and institution if it is to positively impact on the lives of institutions, saved our country from total disaster. the majority — the vulnerable and marginalized people The lesson, which is abundantly clear to my of the world. country and to other small States, is that a new global Dominica is a small island State with all the economic order must be balanced and sensitive to the strengths, as well as the weaknesses, of countries with interests of its weakest members. small economies. That is why we look to the United The situation of small island developing States Nations as a forum in which small countries can air will be the focus of attention in January 2005, when the their views, with the aim of collectively influencing the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of agenda of the Organization in some way. the Barbados Programme of Action convenes in The central question for all countries in the world Mauritius. The Barbados+10 Meeting will afford us the today relates to the kind of arrangements that will opportunity to make a full assessment of the constitute the economic order when the globalization Programme of Action and to evaluate its successes and process is complete. At this stage, globalization shortcomings. consists of a wide variety of treaties, some bilateral Dominica and other small island developing and others multilateral. From this slew of agreements, States attach great importance to the International there is yet to be discerned a clear set of principles that Meeting. We hope that it will galvanize the international address the idiosyncratic features of small island States community to make a greater commitment to provide when they function as economic units. the critical additional resources necessary for Within the past six years, the economy of my advancing the implementation obligations of the next country has had to withstand a number of shocks — the phase of the Programme of Action. byproducts of multilateral treaties to which States in My country is alarmed at the rise of terrorism in situations similar to that of my country have had only a the world. Indeed, as we move towards a more united minuscule input. A dispute between the United States world where people of different races and colours are

15 A/59/PV.9 called upon to demonstrate greater respect and accommodated dialogue between the races in that tolerance for each other, violent attempts at solutions country. The South African example shows that when are counterproductive and have the unintended persons of good-will and intellect get together consequence of harming mere bystanders. problems can be resolved without recourse to terror and violence. The United Nations has demonstrated its The brutal and bloody terrorist acts of 11 September capacity to trigger the peaceful resolution of conflicts 2001, committed in New York City, not only had in the past, and my Government is persuaded that it can reverberations for relatives, friends and the society in continue to do so if permitted. general in which the brutal murders took place, but also had serious repercussions of an economic nature I have the great honour to be the Prime Minister in places quite distant from the scene of the crime. of Dominica at the age of 32. We in Dominica subscribe to the view that the young people of any That notorious event had a very deleterious effect country are its best hope for a brighter future, to be upon the Dominican economy. It drastically contracted achieved through constructive change. My presence our tourist industry, which has yet to recover fully. The here attests to the commitment of the Dominican nation focus on terrorism and the cost of complying with to treat younger generations not as inexperienced requirements to prevent terrorist attacks in a region know-nothings, but as people with the potential to that is renowned as a zone of peace are challenging our excel, to whom we must provide the best tools for commitment to social and economic development. ensuring quality leadership. We believe that the early Every cent spent on addressing this threat is a exposure of young people to leadership and positions cent taken from our campaign to sustain the fight of responsibility would help to accelerate the process against trafficking in narcotic drugs and human beings, for achieving the goal of a world without prejudice. the pandemic of HIV/AIDS and other communicable I have sought to summarize those issues that are diseases and the degradation of our common of special concern to small, vulnerable States such as environment. Water security, food security, energy Dominica and others in the Caribbean. In this regard, I security and health security are other important goals cannot overstate the importance of the Assembly that stand to suffer if additional resources are not found taking cognizance of some unique features of island to pursue them. life, particularly in the tropics. Conflicts in various parts of the world are As you are aware, Sir, at this time of the year, consuming scarce resources that are critically needed small island States in the Caribbean and parts of the for development and poverty alleviation. On the North American continent are exposed to the threat of African continent, civil conflicts in the Sudan, Burundi devastating hurricanes. This year, major disasters have and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are having occurred on several islands. Unspeakable devastation catastrophic consequences for the lives of large has taken place in Grenada; Jamaica has suffered numbers of people. The continuing attention and substantial loss of life and damage to property; parts of support of the international community remain the Cayman Islands were submerged, and the death toll important prerequisites in the pursuit of efforts towards in Haiti and Santo Domingo has been horrendous. In conflict resolution. the United States of America, the state of Florida has The Government of Dominica urges an experienced disaster of immense proportions. The immediate end to attempts to use violence as a solution recent experience of natural disasters underscores the to the problems of the people of our planet and calls importance of the necessity to put in place for a greater degree of rationality to be employed as we rehabilitation programmes that would enable destroyed address the very thorny problems of life today. economies to be revived in the minimum time. We are satisfied that the more rational approach The Government of Dominica believes that an that we are suggesting can solve many problems that insurance fund should be set up under the aegis of the have been in existence for generations. Prior to the United Nations. States at risk of natural disasters that abolition of apartheid in South Africa, no one would devastate their economies ought to be able to receive have believed that, after years of bloodshed between insurance payments to rehabilitate their economies the races, a post-apartheid political order could have when they are damaged by such natural disasters.

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Participation in such an insurance plan would not be a rates and civil conflicts are increasing, threatening the charitable act. Each Member State would be required to stability and the security of developing countries such pay a premium that is affordable for that country, and as mine. We therefore call for the early conclusion of the funds accumulated could be used to repair damage the negotiations on a legally binding international done to the economy, especially in cases where the instrument to control the indiscriminate supply of small productive sector of a country’s economy has been arms and light weapons to non-State actors. reduced to paralysis. In conclusion, I reaffirm Dominica’s commitment Events in the last year have underscored that to the United Nations agenda. For us, the United peace and security in the world, social progress and Nations is the embodiment of our collective will to economic prosperity require the consensus of Member achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Given States, the strict implementation of universal norms that those goals will create a new world order that the and commitment to multilateral action. young people of the world will inherit, I urge that greater numbers of youth be involved at all levels in In that regard, the United Nations Stabilization the decision-making process. That requires a massive Mission in Haiti deserves the support of all Member educational programme to demystify international States, especially those in the Latin American and relations and motivate more young people to Caribbean region. My Government has made an participate and help shape their world. important decision to support the humanitarian efforts to bring stability to the people of Haiti. We remain I wish delegates every success in their deliberations convinced that only the full implementation of the at the fifty-ninth session of the General Assembly. provisions of Security Council resolution 1542 (2004) The President (spoke in French): On behalf of will lead to the return of democratic governance in Haiti. the General Assembly, I wish to thank the Prime Dominica commends the United Nations for Minister and Minister for Finance and Carib Affairs of bringing visibility to the problems of the world’s the Commonwealth of Dominica for the statement he indigenous people during the International Decade of has just made. the World’s Indigenous People. With the impending Mr. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister and end of that Decade this year, we urge the world Minister for Finance and Carib Affairs of the community to maintain the momentum of the Decade Commonwealth of Dominica, was escorted from and renew its commitment to support the future the rostrum. aspirations of the world’s indigenous peoples through greater contributions to the Voluntary Fund for Address by The Honourable Maatia Toafa, Indigenous Populations. Acting Prime Minister of Tuvalu Consistent with the overriding principle of The President (spoke in French): The Assembly pursuing universal consensus and our own national will now hear an address by the Acting Prime Minister development goals, Dominica chose on 24 March 2004 of Tuvalu. to act in conformity with General Assembly resolution 2758 (XXVI) of 1971 by establishing diplomatic The Honourable Maatia Toafa, Acting Prime relations with the People’s Republic of China, thereby Minister of Tuvalu, was escorted to the rostrum. honouring the one-China policy. The President (spoke in French): I have great Dominica lauds the hand of friendship extended pleasure in welcoming His Excellency Maatia Toafa, and the demonstrated commitment of the People’s Acting Prime Minister of Tuvalu, and inviting him to Republic of China to assisting small developing address the General Assembly. countries, which are hard-pressed to fulfil their social and Mr. Toafa (Tuvalu): I have the greatest honour to economic agendas in the light of the adverse impact of speak on behalf of the people of Tuvalu, who wish me the evolving new world order on their economies. first of all to convey their warmest greetings to this In the Caribbean region, as in other regions of the session of the General Assembly. We also extend our world, we are witnessing the devastating impact of the sincere congratulations to you, Mr. President, on your proliferation of small arms. As a consequence, crime election and assure you of our full cooperation.

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We congratulate the outgoing President, Mr. support the allocation of a permanent seat to Japan. We Julian Hunte of Saint Lucia, for his excellent also believe more equitable representation of the leadership. Coming from a small island developing State developing countries in the non-permanent seats of the ourselves, we are proud of the many achievements so Council is vital and long overdue. ably accomplished under his presidency. Security challenges continue to create worldwide We would also like to extend our warmest havoc, fear and uncertainty. Terrorist acts, including gratitude to the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, the unfortunate seizure of a school in Russia, have and his staff for their dedication to the work of the proven the continued existence of forces bent on United Nations. The United Nations, through the undermining the United Nations founding goals of Secretary-General’s High Representative, participated freedom, peace and security. They have also in the Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting, held in underscored the urgency with which we, the United Samoa last month, at which a new strategy for regional Nations, must collectively combat these forces. cooperation in the Pacific, the Pacific Plan, was Tuvalu is fully committed to joining the fight considered. against international terrorism as required by Security That is highly commendable. Like all Forum Council resolutions. But we would need to seek the members, Tuvalu looks forward to United Nations assistance of the United Nations and the international solidarity and support, bilaterally and through the community to help us fulfil those requirements, Pacific Island Forum and other Pacific regional particularly the reporting requirements of those organizations, in order to realize that Pacific initiative. resolutions and of the international anti-terrorism conventions. Tuvalu is privileged and proud to be in this most indispensable body, the United Nations. Our presence Tuvalu recognizes the seriousness of the here demonstrates our belief in the noble principles and HIV/AIDS epidemic in relation to the social and goals of the United Nations. At the same time, economic development and security of Tuvalu and however, we are constantly reminded of our other Pacific island countries. Given our exposure and responsibilities to all Tuvaluans, who every day worry the level of mobility of our communities, particularly about their future economic, cultural, environmental our seafarers who serve on merchant ships worldwide, and long-term security and survival on our small, there is an urgent need for assistance from the isolated and extremely vulnerable islands. international community, such as that provided under the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Tuvuluans wonder if the pride of being in the Malaria, in order to combat the threats of the epidemic. United Nations is commensurate with the many aspired needs of our people. Is there any real value of being at As is widely acknowledged, a serious challenge the United Nations to the villagers and local to Tuvalu and to all small island developing States is our communities, who can barely overcome the limitations unique vulnerability to external forces. That vulnerability posed by the lack of opportunities, marginalization, arises not from our own actions but simply from our isolation, economic exclusion and their extreme being islands with small economies, our isolation, our vulnerability? fragmentation and the fragility of our natural environments. These factors taken together translate into It is our strong belief that to maintain its significant constraints on development and a severe lack legitimacy and relevance to all, the United Nations of capacity to cope with the many changes taking place needs to reassess its role and functions in order to in the world, especially through globalization. better reflect the reality of today’s world, in line with its principle of sovereign, equitable participation and Yet for us in small island developing States, representation. We therefore support ongoing reforms although we witness daily the forces of trade, in the work of the United Nations. In particular, we communications and travel creating a single global support the increase in the number of both permanent community, the problems associated with poverty, lack and non-permanent seats in the Security Council. of opportunity, marginalization and environmental Expansion, in our view, should be considered on the decline continue to plague our efforts. There is a basis of responsible contribution to international genuine need for the United Nations and the development and peace, and in this vein we would international community to better recognize the special

18 A/59/PV.9 and unique circumstances of small island developing of small island developing States such as Tuvalu, easier States and their aspirations to participate more access to and the provision of adequate financial and equitably in a globalized world. technical resources, development aid and the dissemination of appropriate technology, particularly Sustainable development, particularly for the for new and renewable energy and capacity-building. most disadvantaged and vulnerable developing States, is most crucial. In June, Tuvalu undertook a In terms of natural resources, Tuvalu is truly a comprehensive review of its development priorities and small island country in a big ocean. The Pacific Ocean adopted a national sustainable development strategy surrounding our islands provides the vital source of our that we call “The Tuvalu Vision 2015”, premised on livelihoods and our economic and social development. international development agendas, including the Increasingly, however, we are concerned with the real review of the Barbados Programme of Action for the threats of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing and of ocean pollution from waste, particularly from the States, and aimed at building Tuvalu’s resilience in trans-shipment of highly radioactive and toxic materials coping with the challenges it faces. through our region. We seek the understanding of the international community to help us save our oceans and The promotion of good governance, democratic support fully the Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy principles and respect for the rule of law is strongly adopted by our Government leaders in 2002. recognized as fundamental to the successful implementation of that strategy. We acknowledge with The overall decline in overseas development greatest appreciation the generous support of the assistance in real terms is cause for serious concern. Governments of Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the The failure of developed countries to fulfil the United United Kingdom, Italy and the Republic of China on Nations minimum target of providing 0.7 per cent of Taiwan, the United Nations Department of Economic their gross national product in overseas development and Social Affairs and the Asian Development Bank in assistance to small island developing States translates into that exercise. We look forward to partnering with them, lower economic growth as well as a further widening and with others in the international community, in the development gap for small island developing States realization of that strategy. such as Tuvalu. This needs to be addressed urgently. As a poorly resourced small island developing An important source of financial flows to State and a least developed country as well, even our best developing countries, particularly to small island efforts to escape the cycle of poverty and marginalization developing States such as Tuvalu, is migrant workers’ are doomed to failure without the meaningful support of remittances from developed countries. Indeed, the international community, civil society and the remittances from our overseas workers, and private sector. The Millennium Declaration, the particularly Tuvaluan seafarers serving abroad, provide Monterrey Consensus and the Johannesburg Plan of a substantial source of income, which is so vital for Implementation have all provided clear road maps for social and economic development in Tuvalu. Tuvalu partnerships towards sustainable development. The fully supports giving urgent international attention to signposts offered under these road maps will remain the issue of migrant workers’ rights, including the mere rhetoric unless they translate into real maintenance of international standards specifying developments, responsive to the unique needs of small minimum requirements for certificates of competency island developing States such as Tuvalu. and provisions for the safety and security of migrant workers, in order to ensure the continuation of this It is for these reasons that full and effective vital source of capital for SIDS. implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island The international meeting in Mauritius in January Developing States is ever so crucial. Tuvalu is very must result in a stronger commitment from the encouraged by the progress so far achieved in the international community and in pragmatic and doable review of the Programme. actions on the ground in all small island developing States. However, success in the further implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action will depend An issue of continuing concern to Tuvalu is the entirely on a better appreciation of the unique situation question of the representation of the Republic of China

19 A/59/PV.9 on Taiwan in the United Nations. Regrettably, this and security, and for stronger leadership by the Organization cannot be said to be universal without the international community against this global threat. rightful representation of the 23 million people of the In conclusion, we want to say that efforts aimed Republic of China on Taiwan. Tuvalu feels that the at the sustainable development of small island States active and responsible participation of the Republic of like Tuvalu will have no meaning unless the issue of China on Taiwan in world affairs — especially in trade, climate change and sea level is addressed decisively commerce and international development — without and with urgency. Tuvalu’s interest in enforcing Kyoto representation in the United Nations is unjust and is not self-serving. The more serious consequences of morally wrong and needs to be corrected. not acting now, as we are already witnessing the world We in Tuvalu, a mere three meters above sea over, will be felt everywhere. level, live in constant fear of the adverse impact of It is our hope that, out of this common house of climate change and the rising sea level. Our livelihoods our United Nations family, there will emerge better and sources of food security are already badly affected. understanding and goodwill for the long-lasting With increased ground water salinity, land erosion and security and survival of Tuvalu, of SIDS and of the coral bleaching, we experience total anxiety. The threat whole world. is real and serious and is like a slow and insidious form of terrorism against Tuvalu. God bless the United Nations. Tuvalu, therefore, accords significant importance The President (spoke in French): On behalf of the to the United Nations Framework Convention on General Assembly, I wish to thank the Acting Prime Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol, as they Minister of Tuvalu for the statement he has just made. provide the most appropriate global framework to The Honourable Maatia Toafa, Acting Prime reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We congratulate Minister of Tuvalu, was escorted from the rostrum. the Framework Convention secretariat as the Convention marks its tenth anniversary this year. Address by The Honourable Winston Baldwin However, we are deeply concerned by the failure and Spencer, Prime Minister and Minister of the lack of leadership on the part of industrialized Labour of Antigua and Barbuda countries in the implementation of commitments and in the ratification and enforcing of the Kyoto Protocol. The President (spoke in French): The Assembly will now hear an address by the Prime Minister and We in small island developing States recognize Minister of Labour of Antigua and Barbuda. that all nations must take steps to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions at some stage. However, Tuvalu believes The Honourable Winston Baldwin Spencer, Prime that the Kyoto Protocol must be the first step in this Minister and Minister of Labour of Antigua and direction for now and for setting the way forward in Barbuda, was escorted to the rostrum. the future. The Protocol as such must enter into force The President (spoke in French): I have great without delay. However, the industrialized countries pleasure in welcoming His Excellency The Honourable must act first as it is their legacy of emissions that is Winston Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister and Minister creating the problems of today. Actions must also of Labour of Antigua and Barbuda, and inviting him to include assisting small island developing States in their address the General Assembly. adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change, particularly in terms of urgently providing adequate Mr. Spencer (Antigua and Barbuda): I stand financial and technical resources in line with the before the General Assembly of the United Nations responsibilities and obligations under the Framework with an equal measure of pride and humility. Convention. Of the more than 190 nations that make up the As we mark the tenth anniversary of the United Nations, Antigua and Barbuda is among the Framework Convention, and as we begin to explore smallest in population and land mass. In the face of future actions against climate change and sea-level these strikingly modest statistics, my humility in rise, we appeal for more attention from the United standing at this renowned and universally respected Nations, whose raison d’être is to ensure world peace podium will be readily understood. The fact that

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Antigua and Barbuda is accorded the privilege to address Nations has been making every conceivable effort to the United Nations today is obvious cause for pride. meet this mandate, most notably so under the stewardship of our indomitable Secretary-General, His On a personal note, I have just completed my first Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan. six months as Prime Minister in the first term of the party that was elected to govern Antigua and Barbuda Not surprisingly, small societies like those of the on 23 March of this year. It is, therefore, a particular English-speaking Caribbean have become casualties, pleasure and a special personal privilege for me to be not beneficiaries, of globalization and of the new world afforded this opportunity to take the podium at the economic order. The United Nations acknowledged this fifty-ninth session of the General Assembly. in the Millennium Declaration. The Declaration concedes that, while globalization offers great I take this opportunity to express my appreciation opportunities, its benefits are very unevenly shared, to the Secretary-General for the kind sentiments he while its costs are unevenly distributed. It recognized graciously extended on the formation of my that developing countries and countries with economies Government. Considering that a single party had ruled in transition face special difficulties in responding to Antigua and Barbuda throughout the life of our 23-year the challenges of globalization. old nation, and for some considerable time prior to that, my leadership and my Government are still in a The Millennium Declaration defined the need for tender state of infancy. I therefore trust that, should I policies and measures at the global level that correspond be guilty of any lapse in protocol during my remarks, to the needs of developing countries and economies in you will blame it on my innocence. transition and that are formulated and implemented with their effective participation. It recognized a The removal of a long-entrenched Government collective responsibility to uphold the principles of makes 2004 a year of dramatic change and intimidating human dignity, equality and equity at the global level. challenge for Antigua and Barbuda. The United It affirmed a determination to deal comprehensively Nations human development index ranks Antigua and and effectively with the debt problems of low and Barbuda in the high development scale. By virtue of middle-income developing countries through various our per-capita income, Antigua and Barbuda is national and international measures designed to make designated a middle-income country. their debt sustainable in the long term. Though it is self-evident that all countries are not Still, the reality confronts us that the views of all created equal, it is a fundamental purpose of the United other United Nations Member States are outweighed by Nations to ensure a level playing field in the arena in those of the five permanent members of the Security which small as well as large nations of the world Council. engage one another. I say this despite overwhelming empirical evidence that size and might often come into Moreover, the world saw, not all that long ago, play without subtlety, without apology and sometimes effective marginalization of the United Nations in without sufficiently vigorous challenge in the affairs of defiance of rational concerns, strongly expressed, of the United Nations. the general membership of the United Nations. I have no desire to be trampled underfoot by the elephants The structure of the Security Council dramatizes engaged in the historic battle that raged in this forum the reality that one nation, one vote, still has its before it moved to its still active theatre in the Middle limitations. In this context, we might be tempted to East earlier this year. I am, however, compelled to accept, as Nobel Laureate V. S. Naipul asserts in the wonder by what process the United Nations appears to opening line of his book, A Bend in the River: “The have ruled out a negotiated resolution of the ongoing world is what it is”. I submit that the overarching war in Iraq as an option. mission of the United Nations is to defy the status quo and to work unrelentingly to transform the world from It is lamentable that, in meeting the unique needs what it is into what it can be. The logical and of vulnerable small States and microeconomies, the particularly relevant concomitance to all of this is that United Nations is routinely sidelined in international a fundamental function of the United Nations is to trading relationships and development processes. The assist small Member States like Antigua and Barbuda United Nations is not recognized as a key catalyst in to be all that we can be. We recognize that the United defining the world economic order and international

21 A/59/PV.9 trading arrangements in the twenty-first century. That light on a globe convulsed by callous attitudes to the agenda is understood to be directed by entities such as environment among certain developed countries, and the World Trade Organization, the Organization for among countries in transition, as well. Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Small though our nations may be, we are mighty Financial Action Task Force, the International warriors in strong and effective alliances with the Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Two of those United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and other organizations are assemblies of a small number of nations in the war against the international narcotics wealthy nations that do not necessarily attach adequate syndicates. priority to the vulnerability of small States and economies in transition. I deem it my country’s civic responsibility to remind this body of our duty to fulfil our role as We are not all convinced that those organizations, outlined in the preamble of the United Nations Charter, whose decisions can well determine the destiny of to be the central area for harmonizing the actions of small States like Antigua and Barbuda — and the now nations in achieving international cooperation in desolate Grenada and Haiti — are sufficiently responsive solving issues of a humanitarian nature. to the special needs of small Caribbean States. Today two nations within the Caribbean region, Indeed, the instances in which small countries of Grenada and Haiti, have been devastated by natural the Caribbean have been targets of the OECD and the disaster. Some 90 per cent of Grenada’s housing stock mighty United States are vivid in our consciousness. has been destroyed. Civil society is in deep trauma. Super Power intervention in traditional arrangements The economy has been wiped out and the Government between Europe and the Caribbean for bananas and is completely immobilized. This means that there is an sugar has been no less devastating, and it has certainly ineffective authority. been farther reaching than Hurricane Ivan’s savage demolition of Grenada. The OECD offensive against More than 1,000 persons have just died in Haiti what were termed “harmful tax jurisdictions”, in the wake of Hurricane Jean, with the figure expected manifestly discriminated against international financial to double in days. The dead are being buried in mass centres in the Caribbean. Our responses to this graves to prevent a health epidemic. Homes and crops challenge were responsible and effective. have been destroyed, with floodwater lines on buildings measuring up to 10 feet high. Survivors in We would like to think that the English-speaking Haiti’s third largest city, Gonaives, are hungry, thirsty and Caribbean countries are model nations in the family of increasingly desperate. United Nations peacekeepers and man. We represent a zone of peace in a world shattered aid agencies are stretched to the limit. by internecine and international wars. We maintain exemplary parliamentary democracies. With a few sad Grenada and Haiti are now suffering a condition exceptions, we in the Caribbean change our comparable to a massive military bombardment. Governments by the ballot, and by no other means. Against this backdrop, I urge the United Nations — every nation, large and small — to intervene in those Though we are small, we are overwhelming in two Caribbean countries devastated by recent human worth. The Commonwealth Caribbean gave hurricanes. They are certifiable disaster areas. Bob Marley to the world. We gave Nobel Laureates Arthur Lewis, Derek Walcott and Vidia Naipaul to the An adequate response from all of us, and even world. We have given our music to the world in the more so from the developed countries, to the plight of form of reggae, calypso, soca and steel band. We have Grenada and Haiti would be a quantum leap to recovery enriched the cuisines of the world. We have given the and reconstruction for them and the best option to ease fastest female track athletes to the world. We have the suffering of their battered and distressed people. We contributed to the standard of academia around the must act quickly. We must act now. world through the export of many of our finest minds. If I may be so bold, I would like to say that my We have been blessed with the most desirable country, Antigua and Barbuda, is a veritable United beaches in the world, and we welcome the world to Nations in microcosm. It has become home to a share our beaches and our incomparable natural relatively larger proportion of immigrants from environment. Our islands represent green points of Caribbean countries than has any other Caribbean

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State. On any day, on any street in St. John’s, Antigua brings us to the contradiction that, as small States strive to and Barbuda’s capital, you will hear virtually every be all that we can be, we are penalized for our success. Caribbean inflection, English and Hispanic. You will Policy makers in the developed world, donor also hear accents from China, Syria, Lebanon, Europe countries and multilateral donor agencies should not and Africa. Indeed, we are celebrating Antigua and take our natural and physical attributes as barometers Barbuda’s unique diversity with the construction of a of our economic and social development. Caribbean Festival Park that will be a permanent showcase and celebration of the essence of the entire In this age of globalization, where the emphasis Caribbean region. is on bigness, being small is definitely a disadvantage of major magnitude. Small economies cannot easily I have chosen to use this opportunity to urge the diversify production. Jobs are concentrated in a limited United Nations General Assembly to petition powerful number of industries — namely, agriculture, tourism nations and agencies of the world for a review of the and services. Tragically, we are now encountering a policy of penalizing small States that achieve a situation where our unemployed young people are measure of success in the process of guiding their easily induced into the drug trade. economies to growth and their citizens to better lives. Is it not ironic that, only in the area of development Given that the Caribbean region is a recognized funding, achieving “graduation” is rewarded with drug trans-shipment point between Latin America and punishment? Development funding dries up; technical the United States and Europe, the attraction of easy aid is more difficult to access when small States begin money and effective marketing to youth by drug dons to show signs of prosperity. The effect of this is really make this job opportunity very attractive to the youth to pull out the carpet from under small States the of the Caribbean region. moment they stand up. Small developing States will My party, the United Progressive Party, campaigned never be insulated against external shocks. on a platform of transparency, accountability and The international security measures mandated by integrity in every functional aspect of government, and America’s post-9/11 Patriot Act have inflicted an throughout the society as a whole. As a demonstration of inordinate financial burden on the small economies of my Government’s seriousness in combating corruption, I Caribbean member States. We have been compelled to tabled anticorruption and integrity legislation in our finance security infrastructure for which we had no Parliament during our first six months in Government. provisions. With intensified security concerns in the My Government and the majority of the people of United States, Caribbean countries are confronted with Antigua and Barbuda are committed to every option increasing waves of deported felons from the United that will support our dedication to good governance in States. This carries the risk that, among these our country. deportees, there might well be prime recruits for organized crime and narco-trafficking. Caribbean I challenge the United Nations to stand by the societies are simply not equipped to respond tenets of the Millennium Declaration, which call for effectively to those challenges. equity among nations, large and small. There is a compelling reason for this call. Among member countries of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, Antigua and Barbuda is Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries are considered to be relatively affluent. The grim reality is currently engaged in three separate sets of negotiations that Antigua and Barbuda is confronted with an that will seriously impact the economies of our economy that has been experiencing sustained decline. countries and the welfare of our people. To date, there The country has been accumulating crippling debt. We have been no concessions afforded to the special needs are uncovering disturbing levels of unemployment, of small States in our negotiations with the European particularly among our young people. This can well place Union, on the Free Trade Area of the Americas and a significant proportion of our youth at serious risk. with the World Trade Organization. Not everyone engaged in these negotiations appears to be in Many of these concerns are common to small sympathy with the fundamental goals of the United States of the Caribbean. Policies and rules are made in Nations Millennium Declaration. organizations controlled by the powerful few. This

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If affirmative action is not to be proffered to Our world today is witnessing the interlinking of Antigua and Barbuda and other small States of the different issues in politics and in regional and Caribbean region and the world, let us at least be international security with other issues of development, spared punitive suspension of whatever special the environment, culture, women and human rights. As facilities enabled us to move our economies forward. a result, international interests have become interwoven and the distinction between local and Antigua and Barbuda thanks this General international questions has almost vanished in light of Assembly for the opportunity to propose that, in the spread of globalization. People need the United keeping with the letter and the spirit of the United Nations now more than they did a half a century ago. Nations Millennium Declaration, small States, such as With newly developed understanding, they have a those of CARICOM, should be afforded the promised greater day-to-day need to keep up with the modern opportunity to be beneficiaries of globalization and the developments of the twenty-first century and the spirit new world economic architecture, instead of leaving us of the age, led by multilateral diplomacy, which looks casualties, as we must now be accurately described. at both present and inherited problems from a new The President (spoke in French): On behalf of practical perspective and understanding. The idea of the General Assembly, I wish to thank the Prime reforming the United Nations, including the collective Minister and Minister of Labour of Antigua and security system, is indeed an ambitious one. However, Barbuda for the statement he has just made. we believe that its implementation is not an impossible dream but a necessity. The international community The Honourable Winston Baldwin Spencer, Prime must respond, through innovative thinking, practical Minister and Minister of Labour of Antigua and methods and a collective determination, in order to Barbuda, was escorted from the rostrum. achieve democracy in international relations, maintain The President (spoke in French): I now call on the spirit of the Charter, and devise practical solutions His Excellency Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak to national and regional conflicts and mitigate their Al-Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for consequences for the development process in Member Foreign Affairs of Bahrain. States. Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa In that context, we would like to reiterate our (Bahrain) (spoke in Arabic): Mr. President, at the support for the efforts made by the Secretary-General outset, I have the pleasure to extend my most sincere to reform the Organization and enhance its capacity to congratulations and best wishes to you and your shoulder its responsibilities and carry out it missions. friendly country of Gabon on the occasion of your We look forward with great interest to the report election to the presidency of the General Assembly at that the Secretary-General will present in December on its fifty-ninth session and to wish you every success in the outcome of the meetings of the High-Level Panel your work. May I take this opportunity to thank your on Threats, Challenges and Change. We hope that these predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Julian Hunte, Minister results and recommendations will not only meet the of Foreign Affairs of the friendly country of Saint hopes of the peoples of the world but will also be Lucia, for the intensive efforts he exerted during his sufficient to address the threats and problems that beset presidency of the last session. international relations on all sides. I also would like to take this opportunity to As reform and modernization of the United express my country’s appreciation to Secretary-General Nations have become a goal for the majority of its Kofi Annan for the great efforts he has made to Members, by the same token, leaders and political enhance and strengthen the role of the United Nations experts in many parts of the world, including the Arab in maintaining international peace and security. world, have become aware that reform and Since the signing of the Charter in 1945 in San modernization are important issues in their societies in Francisco, the United Nations has played a vital role in order to address the demands for change and the addressing many international political, economic, movement of history, and that these issues must be social and humanitarian issues. addressed with clear-sightedness and wisdom, to meet

24 A/59/PV.9 the hopes and aspirations of the new generation for To address this terrorist phenomenon, and within progress and democratization. the framework of regional and international cooperation to fight it, Bahrain and the other countries of the Gulf As a result of that historic political awareness, the Cooperation Council (GCC) this year signed the GCC reform and democratization process has made great Anti-Terrorism Agreement, a further step in strides in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Bahrain has moved overcoming this scourge, which must be eradicated. rapidly in the building of democracy and the widening of popular participation since the adoption of the Israel is increasing its oppressive measures and National Action Charter by the people of Bahrain on practices in the occupied territories against the 14 February 2001, and municipal and parliamentary Palestinian people. It does not respect or comply with elections in 2002. international law and international legality by taking areas of Palestinian land in its construction of the so- It is clear that the call for reform and called barrier, which consolidates the occupation and democratization, which has become an important the settlements, and extinguishes hopes for an contemporary element in international policy, has independent Palestinian State — the legal and become a demand of both industrialized countries and inalienable right of the Palestinian people. of many developing countries as well. This year, the President of the Group of Eight invited His Majesty The international community today must take a King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, courageous stand in the face of these actions, in to participate in its annual Summit held in Georgia, particular following the advisory opinion of the United States, from 8 to 10 June last, in recognition of International Court of Justice delivered on 9 July 2004, His Majesty’s important role in the reform process and and General Assembly resolution ES-10/15 of 20 July the building of democracy in Bahrain. 2004, which represent a triumph for international legality and a clear condemnation of the building of the The phenomenon of terrorism is a source of separation wall, which contradicts the principles of concern for the international community, because of its international law. The international community must horrific spread to many different parts of the world. use that opinion to pressure Israel to end its occupation Indeed, no region or country is immune. In that regard, of all Palestinian and Arab territories, including the Bahrain reaffirms its condemnation of terrorism in all Syrian Golan Heights and the Lebanese Shaba’a Farms. its forms and manifestations, regardless of its sources or motivation. We reassert that there can be no The Arab countries reaffirm their commitment to justification whatsoever for terrorism, and that terrorist the Arab peace initiative agreed at the Beirut Summit acts are not condoned by any religion or belief. in 2002, and reaffirmed by the most recent Arab Summit in Tunis in 2004, which calls for a complete Bahrain has condemned, and continues to Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Arab land and the condemn, terrorist acts against countries and peoples establishment of an independent Palestinian State with through which innocent lives are lost, and reaffirms its Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia resolutions of international legality, in particular and its support for all measures it has taken to Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), overcome these criminal actions, which contradict the 1397 (2002) and 1515 (2003). principles and tenets of Islam, a religion of tolerance and mercy. Bahrain also condemns and denounces all We call once again on the Quartet to resume its terrorist acts around the world, including the events at efforts to promote the peace process, and we demand the school in Beslan, North Ossetia, in Russia. that the Government of Israel fulfil its obligations under the peace plan, as set out in the road map. In examining terrorism and its threats, it is necessary to review its causes in order to limit its The situation in brotherly Iraq remains a continued destructive danger. Among those causes, we find source of concern for the countries and peoples of the poverty, ignorance, backwardness, unemployment, a region, in particular the violence and insecurity that culture of extremism, fundamentalism, ethnic threaten it, despite continued efforts to maintain peace, prejudice, feelings of national desperation and especially following the establishment of the Interim frustration, and violations of human rights. Government, which took office on 28 June 2004, and in spite of the transfer of sovereignty to Iraqi

25 A/59/PV.9 authorities, the convening of the national conference Security Council to give the Government of the Sudan and steps taken towards the creation of an interim sufficient time to deal with the crisis and offer the National Legislative Council. necessary financial assistance to bring it to an end. The upcoming stage requires that a vital and Mr. Khan (Bangladesh), Vice-President, took the effective role be played by the international community, Chair. represented by the United Nations, which will bear the Today more than ever we are committed to the heavy burden of supporting the interim Iraqi principles and purposes of the Charter. We now have a Government and helping it to fulfil the tasks required deeper understanding of the need for a modernized and of it under Security Council resolution 1546 (2004). more advanced Organization that is capable of taking Bahrain has on more than one occasion expressed part in collective international action, of responding to its support for efforts to maintain peace and security in the changes and challenges of the twenty-first century Iraq, and to create the conditions for the reconstruction and of ensuring greater democracy in international of the country and the maintenance of its unity. It also relations, equal rights among the peoples of the world reaffirmed its willingness to participate in Arab and and equal sovereignty among States. It must also be international efforts to rebuild Iraq and to maintain its able to arrive at solutions for problems that may occur unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. in the future on the basis of international partnership, so that any as yet unforeseen challenges facing The security and stability of the Arab Gulf region humanity in the coming decades can be dealt with. is a matter of great concern to the Government of Bahrain, which is constantly seeking peace and Past mistakes and current failures should not stability in a region that has suffered greatly during the divert us from our ambitions for a better future — a past three decades. The Kingdom of Bahrain, which is future free from the scourge of war, a future of peace a member of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council, calls and justice, where human rights and the dignity of the upon the Islamic Republic of Iran to work to peacefully individual are respected; a future where resources are resolve the issue of the islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser developed and where society can progress, where greed Tunb and Abu Musa, which belong to the United Arab has been eliminated and where countries cooperate Emirates, either through serious bilateral negotiations within an advanced international order that promotes aimed at an agreement between the two neighbouring the rule of law and disseminates the values of human countries or by arbitration. rights, generosity and justice, without prejudice, arrogance or discrimination. Given the Kingdom of Bahrain’s follow-up of efforts to achieve peace and reconciliation and to re- The Acting President: I now call on His establish stability in important regions of the Arab Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Minister for Foreign world, we welcomed the Naivasha Agreement between Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea. the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People’s Mr. Ban (Republic of Korea): I would like first Liberation Army. We are anxious to see an end to the of all to extend my sincere congratulations to Mr. Jean civil war there, which has taken a great toll in terms of Ping on his assumption of the presidency of General human life and material resources. Bahrain also Assembly at its fifty-ninth session. I have every welcomed the agreement between the Sudan and the confidence that he will meet with distinction the United Nations aimed at ending the bloodshed in the challenges of his eminent office. I would also like to Darfur region, as well as the steps taken by the take this opportunity to pay tribute to his predecessor, Sudanese Government to implement its obligations in Mr. Julian Robert Hunte, as well as to Secretary- accordance with the agreement that it signed with the General Kofi Annan. Secretary-General on 3 July. The past year has been marked by a series of Bahrain also expresses its support for the efforts atrocious terrorist attacks. The stark reality is that no of the African Union, which is working with the people or nation is safe from the spectre of Sudanese Government with a view to resolving the international terrorism. Through their cowardly acts, humanitarian crisis in Darfur. We affirm the terrorists seek to generate chaos and fear, raining importance of respecting the Sudan’s sovereignty, violence upon the innocent — even children, as we so independence and territorial integrity. We call on the

26 A/59/PV.9 painfully and clearly witnessed in the recent tragedy in community to the danger of nuclear weapons falling Beslan, Russia. I would like to take this opportunity to into terrorist hands. Faced with this new kind of threat extend my sincere sympathy to all those affected by to nuclear non-proliferation, the international terrorist attacks around the world. community must work to close the loopholes in the existing non-proliferation regime. Against that The Republic of Korea has been no exception in backdrop, my Government strongly supports Security its exposure to heinous terrorist attacks. In particular, Council resolution 1540 (2004) on non-proliferation, we experienced, with deep sorrow and pain, the loss of adopted by the Council in April this year. a Korean — a victim of such savagery — in Iraq in June this year. There can be no justification whatsoever The Republic of Korea has actively participated for such brutality and cruel disregard for human life. in the efforts of the international community in the That inhuman act has only bolstered our determination non-proliferation field. In February this year, we to rid the world of the dark cloud of terrorism. The became the thirty-ninth country to ratify the Additional Republic of Korea remains firm in its conviction that Protocol to the Safeguards Agreement. In June, we the international community must never give in to the joined the Group of Eight (G8) Global Partnership demands of terrorists. against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction in order to support joint efforts to stem the The fight against terrorism calls for unity in the spread of deadly arsenals. We held the chairmanship of international community, with the United Nations in the Nuclear Suppliers Group for the year 2003-2004, the lead, as well as the enhanced ability of each and we will also host the plenary meeting of the individual Member State to combat terrorism. Missile Technology Control Regime in Seoul next Iraq still remains a very pressing security concern month. These are just a few facts that attest to my for the international community. The inauguration of Government’s unwavering commitment to the cause of an interim Government and the transfer of sovereignty the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. set in motion the process of political transition towards Given such a solid commitment on our part, my a new era of democracy for the Iraqi people. The Government reported the recent discoveries about past United Nations has a wealth of experience to offer Iraq scientific experiments involving nuclear materials in in the process of its political normalization and my country pursuant to the additional protocol to the national rehabilitation. The transition cannot proceed safeguards agreement with the International Atomic smoothly, however, without the restoration of order. To Energy Agency (IAEA). The experiments were that end, the assistance of the international community isolated, laboratory-scale research activities that a few is vital. scientists conducted on their own for purely The Republic of Korea has been actively experimental purposes. In good faith and with full participating in international efforts to build a peaceful, transparency, my Government has been providing full democratic and prosperous Iraq. We strongly believe cooperation to the IAEA in its activities to review and that stability in Iraq is vital for peace and security in verify our declarations on nuclear research activities. the Middle East and beyond. In implementation of Renewing and reaffirming our commitment to Security Council resolutions 1511 (2003) and 1546 nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear (2004), we are in the process of dispatching 3,600 energy, the Government of the Republic of Korea troops to the multinational forces in Iraq. The aim of announced the following “Four Principles for the this is to assist the Iraqi people’s efforts aimed at Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy” on 18 September 2004. rehabilitation and reconstruction. We have also pledged to contribute $260 million to that end, focusing on First, the Republic of Korea reaffirms that it has areas such as health, education, capacity-building, job no intention of developing or possessing nuclear creation and the provision of electricity. weapons. Secondly, the Republic of Korea will firmly maintain nuclear transparency and will strengthen our Terrorism lends renewed urgency to our common cooperation with the international community to this endeavour to halt the proliferation of weapons of mass end. Thirdly, the Republic of Korea will faithfully destruction and their means of delivery. In particular, abide by the norms set out in agreements on nuclear this year’s revelations about a nuclear black-market non-proliferation, including the Treaty on the Non- network in Asia have alerted the international

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Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Joint of such inter-Korean interaction and interdependence Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean will certainly contribute to peace and prosperity on the Peninsula. Fourthly, on the basis of international trust Korean peninsula and beyond. and with the highest level of transparency, the Republic There are no easy answers to the many problems of Korea will continue to expand the peaceful use of the world now faces, and poverty is at the top of that nuclear energy. list. The roots of poverty run deep, with no simple I would now like to turn to one of the most solution in sight. A large part of the human population important tasks that lie ahead: resolving the North still languishes in abject poverty, presenting a serious Korean nuclear issue. The Government of the Republic stumbling block to the achievement of our shared goal of Korea has been actively engaged in the efforts to of lasting peace and prosperity for all. bring about a peaceful resolution to this issue through Four years ago, the leaders of the world pledged the six-party talks process. The Republic of Korea to reduce by half the proportion of people living in firmly believes that the expeditious resolution of the poverty and hunger by the year 2015 as part of the North Korean nuclear issue is in the best interests of all Millennium Development Goals. However, at this the participants in the six-party talks, including the point, the gap between the objectives and the tangible Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The resolution progress we have made remains wide. It is our sincere of this issue will certainly have a positive impact on hope that the 2005 high-level meeting to review the the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. It will also progress made in the implementation of the Goals will have a profound effect on the relations between North serve to renew our commitment to the world’s poor. Korea and the other countries participating in the six- Political will is the key. party talks. Over the past year, the United Nations has Upon the resolution of the nuclear issue, North continued its efforts to realize our common aspirations Korea would indeed be able to become a full-fledged for the promotion of human rights, freedom and well- member of the international community, enabling it to being. While persevering in its quest to make human gain all the accompanying benefits. It is our fervent rights universal, the United Nations has exerted special wish that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea efforts to enable the most vulnerable of our fellow human will make a strategic decision to forgo all its nuclear- beings to enjoy the rights and freedoms that should be weapon programmes, including its uranium enrichment guaranteed to all. In particular, much progress has been programmes, in a thorough and transparent manner. made in the endeavours to draft a convention to The Government of the Republic of Korea also promote the rights of persons with disabilities. strongly hopes that the fourth round of talks will be held as soon as possible, so that we can engage in The Government of the Republic of Korea substantive discussions on concrete steps toward the strongly supports global action to strengthen the values denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. of human rights and democracy around the world. Just last week in Seoul, we organized a seminar on good While seeking a peaceful resolution to the North governance practices for the promotion of human Korean nuclear issue, the Korean Government is rights, in conjunction with the Office of the United working hard to ensure the steady improvement of Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the inter-Korean relations. Indeed, Government-level United Nations Development Programme. meetings have been institutionalized and as many as 90 such meetings have been held over the past two years. Next year in Seoul, my Government will also Impressive progress is also being made on major host the Sixth Global Forum on Reinventing projects for economic cooperation. In particular, the Government, in cooperation with the United Nations. start of operations at the Gaesong industrial complex, We are convinced that this Forum will serve as a useful scheduled for later this year, will be a significant venue for the exchange of experience in Government achievement in inter-Korean cooperation. innovations aimed at enhancing participation and transparency in governance. As a result of such efforts, we believe that inter- Korean exchanges and cooperation have now advanced We also support the United Nations in reaching to a point from which there is no turning back. The rise out to people in distress in many corners of the world

28 A/59/PV.9 and providing life-saving assistance to millions of of the Security Council should be designed to enable refugees and others displaced by conflicts and natural more countries to participate in the Council more often, disasters. We share the concern of the international and on the basis of a more equitable geographical community over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in distribution. In that spirit, we support an increase in Darfur, Sudan. Security Council resolution 1564 (2004) non-permanent members so as to accord to those should be implemented so as to bring back peace and Member States willing and able to contribute to stability to this troubled area and its inhabitants. international peace and security greater opportunities to serve in the Council. Furthermore, all too often, the complexities of major crises have been fuelled by the public health As diverse as they are, there is a common thread emergency created by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. In that holds together all the views expressed in this order to overcome the scourge of HIV/AIDS, it is vital honourable Hall. We are all united in the goal of seeking a that we strengthen the global assistance mechanisms. better and more peaceful world. Now more than ever, In this regard, the 3 by 5 Initiative of the World Health countries are called to rise to challenges together, as Organization, aimed at providing antiretroviral Members of our one global body. The Republic of treatment to 3 million infected people by the year Korea stands firm in its hopes for and belief in the 2005, is a very timely and proactive initiative. United Nations as the steadfast anchor for our collective endeavours and remains as committed as ever For almost six decades, the United Nations has to fully playing its part in all areas of its noble work. played a crucial role in merging the diverse interests of our Member States for the global good. As the The Acting President: I now call on His international community becomes more interdependent Excellency Mr. George Yeo, the Minister for Foreign and areas of cooperation expand further in the twenty- Affairs of the Republic of Singapore. first century, the world body will have an even greater Mr. Yeo (Singapore): First, I would like to role to play. congratulate His Excellency Mr. Jean Ping of Gabon, on Meanwhile, doubts have been expressed as to his election as the President of the General Assembly. whether the current United Nations system is suitable We meet in New York under conditions of high for confronting the challenges of the new century. As security. All over the world, Governments, the Secretary-General has pointed out, the United corporations and individuals are allocating vast Nations has come to a fork in the road. Choices must resources to combat terrorism. The Beslan massacre be made if the United Nations is to be strengthened and last month and the Jakarta bombing two weeks ago made more effective. remind us once again that the war against terrorism is a In that regard, the Republic of Korea hopes that the long struggle. Fighting it requires us to cooperate High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change worldwide. It is also important for us to understand established on the recommendation of the Secretary- more deeply why terrorists are prepared to sacrifice General will identify the challenges the international their own lives to take the lives of others, including community faces and recommend ways to deal with those of innocent children. them effectively. We look forward to the Panel’s report The human condition has not changed. There is in and hope that its recommendations will shed light on human beings a restless, competitive spirit that strives ways to make the United Nations more effective and to get ahead, make discoveries and order or reorder the responsive to the needs of the twenty-first century. world according to their values and world-view. It is a No doubt, continued reform of the United Nations drive that can lead to great good or great evil. will be an important part of our discussions. In The greatest evil is often committed out of a particular, the Security Council, as the primary organ sense of self-righteousness. That has been the case for maintaining peace and security, must be reformed throughout history. Al Qaeda carries out its actions in in such a way as to make it more representative and the name of Islam, which is a gross perversion. democratic than it is today. In that regard, we share the Religious wars are the most cruel because human view that the Security Council should be expanded to beings are maimed and killed in the name of the divine. adequately reflect the increase in the membership of Ethnic and ideological conflicts sometimes turn the United Nations during the past decades. Expansion

29 A/59/PV.9 genocidal when one side believes that right is around us. Like all forms of energy, human energy completely on its side. must be channelled so that it is constructive and not destructive. That is the challenge of governance at all Unrestrained economic competition can also lead levels, from the village all the way to global to grave injustice. Without rules, ruthless economic institutions. With the world becoming a village because competition will return us to the jungle. Without the of the ease of travel and instant communication, the World Trade Organization (WTO), globalization can design of global institutions is very important. They become a tool with which the strong can dominate the help us solve problems which we cannot solve weak, just as in an earlier period entire continents were individually and set limits on acceptable behaviour. carved up by imperial Powers. The problem of Palestine, for example, cannot be Global organizations like the United Nations and solved without the participation of the larger global WTO give us hope that this century can be more community. All of us are aware of the rights and civilized than previous ones. We need rules that put wrongs, and sometimes particular issues are right or limits on our competitiveness in the political and wrong, depending on our perspective. However, we economic arenas. As in the Olympic Games, clear rules should never lose hope. We should always look for new and their rigorous enforcement enable individuals to and creative ways to break old deadlocks. After all, it compete fiercely and triumph within a framework of was only a few years ago that the prospects for peace sportsmanship and fairness. The rules are not there to seemed so much brighter. dampen our natural competitive spirit, but to direct it towards positive achievement. I remember when, as Singapore’s Trade Minister, I met the Israeli Trade Minister at Davos in the year But the rules have to be determined by common 2000. He said that he would like to visit me in agreement. Their legitimacy is derived from the shared Singapore with his Palestinian counterpart and, values that bind participants together. They have to together with me, to take a boat to the Singapore evolve, along with our evolving sense of what is fair industrial park on a nearby Indonesian island, where he and proper. They cannot be imposed. If they are hoped that we could all be received by the Indonesian imposed, what we have will not be the Olympics but Trade Minister. I was inspired and immediately worked the gladiatorial pits of the Roman Colosseum. with my Indonesian counterpart on this project of At the most fundamental level, discussions and understanding and goodwill. Unfortunately, within half debates in the United Nations and WTO are really a year, the intifada began and the cycle of violence about the values that bind us together as human beings. became steadily worse. It all seems such a long time As the world grows smaller, our sense of ago. However, we must never give up. With goodwill interdependence grows. As we interact more, we and statesmanship on both sides, and with the support discover that we are more similar than we think. So of all of us in the international community, it is many problems like global warming, epidemics and possible to re-establish trust and to start again. terrorism can only be overcome if we work together. Moreover, the international community should So many new opportunities can only be fully exploited not allow the deteriorating relationship across the if we combine our efforts. Taiwan Straits to spin out of control. The push towards Yes, we have become closer. We celebrated together independence by certain groups on Taiwan is most when for the first time the human genome was mapped a dangerous, because it will lead to war with mainland few years ago. We grieved as one on 11 September China and will drag in other countries. The stability of 2001. The slaughter of children at Beslan outraged us the entire Asia-Pacific region is at stake. Not many all. But will we ever be the same? That is not possible. years ago, the relationship between the mainland and It is neither in our biological nature nor in the nature of Taiwan was much better. In 1991, Asia-Pacific Economic the historical process for human societies to converge Cooperation (APEC) — a grouping of economies around and become identical. Even the same society changes the Pacific Ocean — admitted China, Taiwan and Hong over time in response to changing conditions. Kong on the basis of certain agreed principles. At an APEC meeting in 1992, I remember joining the Trade There is in each and everyone of us a deep desire Ministers of China, Taiwan and Hong Kong for a to be free, to experiment and to be better than others relaxed lunch in Bangkok. Later, in 1993,

30 A/59/PV.9 representatives from China and Taiwan met in Singapore For all their imperfections, the United Nations for informal talks, with both sides acknowledging, “One and the World Trade Organization (WTO) represent China: to each its own interpretation”. this diversity in unity. At the WTO, the process of multilateral trade negotiations — however complicated All problems seemed soluble then. But, in 1994, and arduous they may be — is still a more civilized Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui gave a shocking method of resolving conflicts and harmonizing national interview to a Japanese magazine, describing himself differences than erecting protectionist walls and as a Moses leading his people out of Egypt. From then fighting trade wars. on, cross-straits relations went from bad to worse as pro-independence forces on Taiwan became Respecting plurality does not mean that we stop increasingly adventurous. As in the Middle East, the recognizing strengths and weaknesses; that would be international community has a strong vested interest in hypocrisy. Some cultural values are more suited than supporting a peaceful resolution of cross-straits others to modern times. Some economic systems are conflict, based on the “one China” position that was more productive. Some political systems are better able adopted and settled by the United Nations in 1971. to mobilize the creative energies of their people. But none of us should force our views on others. We should Even when the United Nations has no legal never impose a particular political or economic system authority to enforce its wishes, its views carry moral on societies with different histories and traditions. weight. This legitimacy of the Organization is derived What we need instead is an environment that from its broad membership, its transparent processes encourages mutual learning and healthy competition. and the active participation of Member States. It is For that, we need to respect one another. important that the Security Council — which has the power to adopt resolutions binding on all United As is recognized in the Millennium Development Nations Member States — be reformed and enlarged so Goals, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the as to reflect the reality of the current international challenge of human development. When Singapore environment. became independent in 1965, there was no ready solution that fitted us; we had to seek our own way We need rules that enable us to make decisions forward. Many countries helped us with aid and advice, and to express our collective judgement of right and and we remain grateful to them. The United Nations wrong, and those rules must evolve in response to new Development Programme provided valuable assistance. challenges. However, we cannot expect unanimity of With no natural resources, we had to organize views on all matters. Human society is changing all the ourselves in a practical way, add value and be of time. New scientific discoveries present new service to others. Little by little, we worked out challenges, to which different societies must respond pragmatic solutions to our problems. Good governance differently. On matters of religious belief, for example, was a precondition for all our efforts. We were tough no one should expect convergence. Our disagreements on corruption and crime. over issues like the death penalty, abortion, the nature of democracy, gay rights, animal rights and therapeutic When, in the 1970s, we witnessed attempts by cloning are, in a sense, inevitable and necessary. international drug dealers to target young Singaporeans, our Parliament adopted draconian laws. What we profoundly need is respect for plurality in We were criticized by some of our friends in the the world — respect built on the common substrate that Western media, but we persisted, with the support of defines us as civilized human beings in the twenty-first the majority of Singaporeans, always acting with their century. In the nineteenth century, slavery was abolished. consent and in their interests. Now that we have In the twentieth century, gender equality became the reached a reasonable standard of economic norm. In this century, we must add more layers to what development, other developing countries have we share in common. And, upon that shared substrate, we approached us for assistance. We feel honoured to be should not only accept diversity, but encourage it. Indeed, asked. But we prefer them to see Singapore more as an as with biological diversity, it is essential for human ongoing experiment to be studied than as a model to progress that there should be cultural and political follow. Every country is different, and each must diversity in the world. Without such diversity, our customize its own solutions. ability to respond to new challenges will be weakened.

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Small countries like Singapore need a stable non-State actors and the unbridled militarism of States. external environment. We are ardent supporters of The former leads to increasing insecurity and the latter international organizations like the United Nations and to increasing lawlessness. Insecurity is manifested in the WTO, because they give us, together with other horrendous acts of extreme violence and terrorism, countries, a say in global governance. A world in whether it is in Iraq, Afghanistan or Russia. which countries big and small can resolve disputes Lawlessness is manifested in acting outside of according to commonly agreed rules is infinitely international law and the United Nations Charter and preferable to one in which might makes right. relying on the glorification of force and the blatant use of military might. Lawless militarism of the powerful More than four centuries ago, a wise man from has given rise to increasing violence and terrorism and the West visited the East. The Italian Jesuit Matteo is also marketed as their panacea. We must be Ricci went to China with the goal of converting China relentless against the former in a truly collective and to Catholicism. He had a deep respect for the all-inclusive manner, and we will muster the courage civilization that he wanted to Christianize. Realizing and national discipline to guard against the latter and that the only way to impress the Chinese was to remain within the confines of international law. interact with them on their own terms, he proceeded to study the Chinese language, to master the Chinese The increasing insecurity and escalation of acts classics and to employ Chinese philosophical concepts of violence and terrorism in different parts of the world in his discourses on Christianity. Instead of talking at are a matter of serious concern to all of us. The recent the Chinese, he talked to them, expressing concepts to tragic incidents in Iraq, in the school in Beslan in the which they could relate. Although Matteo Ricci did not Russian Federation’s North Ossetia, and State terrorism succeed in converting the Chinese, he left behind a in occupied Palestine have shocked and outraged all lasting legacy, and when he died the Chinese Emperor peoples worldwide. No rationale can justify the killing consented to his burial in China. His tomb, inscribed of children and the innocent. with his Chinese name, is to be found today in the As terrorism has become an international compound of the Party School of the Beijing Municipal challenge, an effective fight against it requires a global Committee. approach based on collective cooperation under the History is unending. We need wise men like provisions of the United Nations Charter as well as the Matteo Ricci from the West and the East, from the principles of international law. We must rise above South and the North, to help us, through debate and business-as-usual politics and avoid discrimination, dialogue, prevent a clash of civilizations. Respecting double standards and selectivity in our approach to diversity should never reduce us to hypocrisy and fighting this global menace. As a victim of terrorism, cultural relativism, as if all points of view are equally the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns valid. We should never stop trying to influence one terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and we another. Here in the United Nations we are always have demonstrated our strong commitment to fighting trying to influence one another, but we must always be terrorism by the arrest and handover of the greatest prepared to see the same issues from the perspectives number of Al Qaeda members apprehended by any of others. Here in the United Nations, we have an single State to date. Our commitment fighting terrorism institution that can help us create this better world. is unwavering. However, the prevailing international approach, which is primarily a law and order approach, The Acting President: I now give the floor to is clearly failing to curb terrorism. We need to revisit our His Excellency Mr. Kamal Kharrazi, Minister for premises and try to develop a genuinely collective, Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran. inclusive, well-rounded and multidisciplinary approach, Mr. Kharrazi (Islamic Republic of Iran) (spoke if we are serious about this fight. No State can even in Farsi; English text provided by the delegation): An come close to doing it alone. overall and realistic review of the current developments The increasing lawless militarism, the second in international relations reveals that our world today face of the challenge we encounter, is the use of brute faces the formidable challenge of extremism. and unsanctioned military force to achieve some Extremism has two distinct and yet political goals, albeit desirable goals. A clear example interconnected faces: the violence and terrorism of of this lawlessness is the attack against Iraq. The attack

32 A/59/PV.9 against Iraq was illegal. I wish to thank our global effort. While we insist on our right to distinguished Secretary-General for making this technology for peaceful purposes, we have left — and statement a few days ego and courageously defending will leave — no stone unturned in order to provide the Charter of the United Nations and the rule of law. If assurances of our peaceful intentions. we, in this body, do not collectively defend the rule of Iran has been in the forefront of efforts to law, we have helped to send the United Nations Charter establish a zone free from weapons of mass destruction to oblivion, thereby serving domination and militarism. in the Middle East. This initiative, which has received We in Iran benefited greatly by the removal of the repeated approval of this Assembly and the Security Saddam Hussein. Many in Iran are joyous to see the Council, has been systematically obstructed by Israel’s murderer of their sons behind bars. However, as a intransigence and its rejection — regrettably, with matter of principle, and as a principle of the United impunity — of all multilateral instruments. All countries Nations Charter, this cannot be regarded as anything of the region and beyond are unanimous in considering but the fruit of the forbidden tree. The international the Israeli arsenal, including its weapons of mass community has demonstrated that it will not celebrate destruction, combined with its policy and record of achieving this desirable goal through the illegal means aggression and State terrorism, as the single greatest of glorifying military power and rushing to use force threat to regional and global peace and security. Israel without the approval of the United Nations. cannot hide these facts behind smoke screens. It is time for the international community to show its resolve to The increasing lawlessness of States constitutes maintain the credibility of multilateral disarmament even a greater danger to our security. It undermines our instruments by taking action to compel Israel to collective ability to contain terrorism and violence. It comply. offsets our efforts to promote justice, equality, freedom, dignity and prosperity for all, because, if Next year will mark the sixtieth anniversary of continued, it will lower everyone’s quality of life and the entry into force of the United Nations Charter. The devalue our humanity. The prevailing world realities next General Assembly will receive the report of the illustrate that unbridled militarism and blind terrorism High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. are mutually reinforcing. The international community Now in the final stages of preparing its report, the must work together to find a way to liberate itself from Panel would be well-advised to go beyond the this vicious cycle. generally advertised perceptions of threats and challenges, and to address the more fundamental In this context, one particular area that requires malady of our age — that is, violence and the resolute action by the international community is the glorification of military might. Obviously, the existence and proliferation of weapons of mass prescription that the Panel will provide will very much destruction. As the only victim of the unbridled use of depend on its own perception of threats. these weapons in recent years, Iran feels very strongly about the absolute imperative of a collective and rule- In that context, the paradigm of Dialogue among based multilateral campaign to eradicate all such Civilizations, presented by President Khatami of the weapons and to prevent the proliferation of nuclear Islamic Republic of Iran and warmly received by the weapons as an interim measure. This must be done by international community, continues to provide the only the universal application of disarmament and non- vehicle to help promote mutual understanding and proliferation instruments in a comprehensive and non- facilitate cooperation among States in the pursuit of discriminatory manner. The relevant multilateral peace, tolerance, freedom and prosperity. instruments must become truly universal and the rights In 2005, coinciding with the sixtieth anniversary and obligations of all must be scrupulously enforced. of the adoption of the United Nations Charter, the Access to technology for peaceful purposes is the only implementation of the Global Agenda for Dialogue true incentive for the universality of those instruments. among Civilizations will be reviewed. Based on the At the same time, the legitimate disarmament and non- international experience gained in the period from proliferation concerns of the international community 2001 through 2005, such a review can help the must be addressed through transparency and the international community to further advance that vigorous application of monitoring mechanisms. Iran paradigm as a long-term process towards promoting has always been prepared to contribute actively to that

33 A/59/PV.9 peace, democracy and development — the real principles occupation of the Palestinian lands, restoration of the and objectives of the United Nations Charter. inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, return of the people of the Palestinian diaspora to their We condemn all acts of violence and terrorism in homeland, participation of all in a democratic process Iraq. We stress the need for promoting security and and the establishment of a Palestinian State with Al- preserving the unity, territorial integrity and political Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. independence of Iraq, promoting democracy through drafting a new constitution, holding free and fair We are of the view that the enlightened elections as scheduled and accelerating the Palestinian people are capable of independently reconstruction of Iraq, as well as the speedy deciding their political and social affairs and we withdrawal of foreign forces from that country. respect their free decisions on the future of Palestine. We welcomed the formation and supported the We welcome the valuable efforts by the operation of the Iraqi transitional government as a Government of Afghanistan to consolidate peace, positive step towards the restoration of the Iraqi security and stability in the country. In addition, people’s sovereignty. We emphasize that the United holding fair and free presidential and legislative Nations has a pivotal role to play and substantial elections and establishing a broad-based representative responsibilities to discharge in the transitional period. and multi-ethnic government, will be vital steps in the process of democratization and reconstruction in We also welcome the position of the United Afghanistan. Nations Secretary-General on the important role that the neighbouring countries to Iraq can play in the Realization of the Millennium Development restoration of peace and stability in Iraq and in its Goals is inseparable from viable international peace reconstruction. and security. Otherwise the political, social, economic and cultural problems of our world will continue to In the Palestinian lands, the world is witnessing, increase cumulatively, leaving us in a more desperate with much regret and concern, the continued gross situation. In our view, the only option available to us is violation of human rights and the Israeli policy of to foster closer international cooperation under occupation and repression against the oppressed internationally recognized rules and instruments in the Palestinian people. light of dialogue, justice and democracy. A durable peace in Palestine will only be possible The meeting rose at 9.10 p.m. if it is based on justice and guarantees an end to the

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